Families of 16 fallen officers receive Police Cross in remembrance  

August 25, 2021

"Never Forget"

A sacred tradition of the Illinois Association of Police Chiefs is to recognize Illinois officers who died in the line of duty during the previous year. This year, 16 families of the fallen officers who died in 2019 and 2020 were presented with the Police Cross at the ILACP annual banquet which closed the annual conference on Aug. 20 in Tinley Park.

While this is always a somber moment for the association, this year emotions were particularly raw as law enforcement throughout Illinois remain shocked and angered by the recent senseless killing of 29-year-old Chicago Officer Ella French. Her funeral was held the day before the awards banquet, and she was spoken of often throughout the conference. The family of Officer French will be invited to next year’s banquet. A moment of silence was observed for Officer French before the Illinois Chiefs began the ceremony of remembrance to honor each officer killed in the previous two years. 

ILACP was unable to gather in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, but the association joins law enforcement in making a commitment to never forget these officers who gave their lives to keep our communities safe. The Board of Officers was unanimous in extending invitations to all the families of officers who died in the line of duty for the previous two years.

The elevated number of deaths during the past two years among law enforcement also includes officers who died because of COVID-19. While most people were required to stay home during the worst of the pandemic, the police and other sworn officials continued to show up every day. In the face of danger, they continued to serve and bravely kept their oath to protect society.

 The officers listed below were remembered as the Police Cross was presented to their families symbolizing the gratitude of all police chiefs in Illinois.

 Cook County Sheriff’s Officers who died from COVID-19:

  • Correctional Officer Sheila Rivera, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch – April 19, 2020
  • Correctional Officer Antoine Jones, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch – May 10, 2020
  • Correctional Officer Jose Marquez, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch June 28, 2020
  • Deputy Sheriff Richard O’Brien, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch, May 3, 2020
  • Deputy Sheriff Richard Santiago, Jr., Cook County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch October 20, 2020

Chicago Police Officers who died from COVID-19:

  • Officer Marco DiFranco, Chicago Police Department, End of Watch, April 2, 2020
  • Officer Clifford Martin Sr., Chicago Police Department, End of Watch, April 10, 2020
  • Officer Ronald Newman, Chicago Police Department, End of Watch, April 17, 2020
  • Field Training Officer Titus Moore, Chicago Police Department, End of Watch, Nov. 24, 2020

Other officers recognized by the Illinois Chiefs were:

  •  Trooper First Class Christopher Lambert, Illinois State Police, End of Watch,  Jan. 12, 2019
  • Deputy Sheriff Jacob Keltner, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch, March 7, 2019
  • Trooper First Class Brooke Jones-Story, Illinois State Police, End of Watch, March 28, 2019
  • Trooper First Class Gerald Ellis, Illinois State Police, End of Watch, March 30, 2019
  • Deputy Sheriff Troy Chisum, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, End of Watch, June 25, 2019
  • Trooper First Class Nicholas Hopkins, Illinois State Police, End of Watch, Aug. 23, 2019
  • Chief Terrence Allen Engle, Hampton Police Department, End of Watch, April 11, 2020

About Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police  

Since 1941, ILACP has served as the professional development association for Chiefs of Police and other community leaders committed to public safety in Illinois. The statewide organization serves 1200 members working in more than 450 agencies, providing them with innovative services, training, and partnerships. ILACP advocates for legislation and policies that protect and improve police forces and the communities they serve.