Joliet Cop's Children Selling Lemonade to Support Fallen Officers' Families

Joliet police officer Patrick Kelly doesn’t want his kids to worry about him too much.

“They know that daddy has a dangerous job, but I don’t want them to be overly scared, or worried. I downplay it a little bit,” Kelly said. “I don’t want them to be afraid every time I walk out the door.”

In the days following the fatal shooting of Fox Lake police officer Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, Kelly’s 10-year-old daughter Caragh and 7-year-old son Greyson overheard he and his wife talking about it.

“They wanted to do something,” Kelly said.

The family agreed on a lemonade stand, with the proceeds to benefit the families of Texas Deputy Darren Goforth, Trooper Chad Worth of Michigan, and Gliniewicz—all officers slain recently.

“It was a good lesson about charity and brotherhood, looking out for other officers’ families,” Kelly said. “I am very proud of them that they wanted to do this for these officers’ families.”

Kelly often talks to them about how his job is not just about catching bad guys, but also helping people. The youngsters followed their dad’s lead.

“I want to help the family by sending money so the family is not sad anymore,” Caragh told Patch.

The lemonade stand will be held at the Will County Center for Community Concerns, 2455 Glenwood Avenue in Joliet. Lemonade and cookies will be available. Donations are welcome, and the money, as well as condolence cards, will be sent to the families.

The stand opened at 9 a.m. and will continue through sundown on Sunday, Sept. 6.