HR1118 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1118 LRB097 21751 KXB 70231 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Police Chief Michael O'Connell of Tinley Park; and

WHEREAS, He was a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command; he also held a master's degree in criminal justice from Lewis University; and

WHEREAS, He had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement; he began his career in 1972 as a patrol officer with the Riverdale Police Department, and he served as police chief of the Riverdale Police Department for 6 years; in 1995, he was appointed to serve as police chief of the Village of Tinley Park, where he served until his passing; and

WHEREAS, He taught criminal justice courses at South Suburban College for several years; and

WHEREAS, He was active on numerous Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police committees, including those that focus on domestic terrorism and homeland security; he also served on the Executive Board of the South Suburban Association of Chiefs of Police; and

WHEREAS, He was widely respected and influential throughout the Illinois law enforcement community; he was the recipient of the 2005 "Police Chief of the Year" award from the Illinois State Crime Commission for his work; and

WHEREAS, Michael O'Connell is survived by his wife, Barb; his daughter, Colleen, and his son-in-law, Nick Palmer; his son, Michael, his daughter-in-law, Liz, and their children, Emma and Patrick; and his daughter, Michelle, his son-in-law, Paul Anichini, and their children, Joslyn and Alyson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Michael O'Connell; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Police Chief Michael O'Connell as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.