Vigil Scheduled This Evening in Fox Lake as Community Mourns Fallen Police Officer

A vigil is scheduled for Wednesday evening in Fox Lake as the community mourns the death of veteran police lieutenant Charles Joseph Gliniewicz.

The vigil is set for 6 p.m. at Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd. in Fox Lake.

“The outpouring of support for Joe and for the Fox Lake Police Department from residents has given us all the strength to carry on during a very sad time in Fox Lake,” said Fox Lake Mayor Donny Schmit. “Tonight, we will all gather as one community to show Joe’s family how much he was loved and how much he will be missed.”

The death of Gliniewicz, a 30-year veteran of the Fox Lake Police Department, ”has left a large void in our community,” according to a Wednesday morning press release from the village of Fox Lake, a small community of 10,000 in northern Illinois. Gliniewicz was married and the father of four.

Gliniewicz lost communications with dispatch during a foot pursuit with three suspects shortly before 8 a.m. Tuesday at Route 12 and Sayton Road in Fox Lake. His backup officer arrived on scene to find Gliniewicz with a gunshot wound. Gliniewicz died at the scene. Today marks day two of an expansive manhunt for the three suspects.

Gliniewicz, an Antioch High School graduate, joined the Fox Lake Police Department as a patrol officer in 1985. He was promoted to sergeant in 1994 and again promoted to his most-recent rank of lieutenant in 2006.

He is remembered as a “shining example of what it means to be a public servant,” according to the Fox Lake news release. He went by the nickname of ”G.I. Joe” and served as a SWAT team member, evidence technician, K9 handler and range supervisor. During his career, he received several commendations and awards, including the Medal of Valor and a life-saving award.

Gliniewicz is also known for his work with the Fox Lake Explorer Post — an organization that he built over the past 30 years of his career, the Daily Herald reports. Over the years, Gliniewicz and his wife, Mel, helped make the local Explorers unit a nationally known program.

Gliniewicz is retired as a first sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve, according to Reuters.

Funeral arrangements for Gliniewicz are pending.

• Search Continues Wednesday for Three Accused of Gunning Down Fox Lake Lieutenant