'Angel' Gives Police Officer $1,000 For 'Working on Christmas'

PALOS PARK, IL — An anonymous angel earned his wings after gifting a Palos Park police officer with a Christmas card containing $1,000.

Officer Angelo Marasco was on patrol Christmas Day when he encountered a gentleman who handed Officer Marasco a card. When the officer opened the card, he found a note thanking him for working on Christmas Day, along with $1,000. Officer Marasco does not know the identity of the kind stranger.

The money will be donated to the Palos Park Police Foundation, which supports programs and initiatives by the police department that the village cannot readily fund. Less than 2 percent of the police department’s annual budget goes to discretionary spending on equipment.

“Many people are eager to assist law enforcement and help public safety,” Mayor John Mahoney said. “Policing is changing, technology’s changing, equipment is changing, and we must keep up. The Palos Park Police Foundation is an opportunity to partner with community members to benefit the department.”

The monetary gift will be used to launch experimental programs to expand training and enhance professionalism in the police department.

As for Officer Marasco angels do exist, especially on Christmas.