Jul 3, 2008 5:17 pm US/Central
Medals Awarded Today To Fallen Officer's Family
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
The family of an officer killed by a drunk driver in 2004 accepts medals on his behalf today at Gold Star Memorial.
We're still awaiting charges against the woman believed to have killed Chicago Police Officer Richard Francis with his own service revolver during a struggle.
The woman is in critical condition at Illinois Masonic Hospital after being shot by police.
In the meantime, Chicago's latest cop to die in the line of duty was very much on the mind of another family that suffered the same kind of loss.
CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports that two people who know the grief being felt by the family of Chicago Police Officer Richard Francis are the parents of another fallen officer, Michael Gordon.
"I feel for the family," said Carol Gordon, Michael's mother. "I know what they are going through."
Michael Gordon was killed on August 8, 2004, when a drunk driver struck his squad car on the West Side. Before becoming a cop, Gordon served with the army's 82nd Airborne Division in Korea and Bosnia. But Pentagon red tape prevented Gordon's service medals from being awarded, until Sen. Dick Durbin intervened.
"It's been four years since he's fallen but he's not forgotten," said Sen. Durbin.
The medals were awarded to Gordon's family today at the Gold Star Memorial.
Gordon's mother said she understands the pain felt right now by the family of Richard Francis.
"Many don't recover, believe me," Carol said.
Michael's father, Robert Gordon, a retired suburban cop, carries his son's memory on his arm in a tattoo.
"All I can suggest is they take one day at a time, and keep his memory alive," Robert said. "That's why we're here, to keep Michael's memory alive."
Officer Richard Francis died Monday, after a mentally ill woman grabbed his service revolver and shot him in the head. He was working the midnight shift, alone in a squad car. Although department guidelines call for two-man cars at night, it's a policy often trumped by practicality.
"It's encouraged to have two-man cars but that would mean if no other officer ever got sick or had to take a day off, said Phil Cline, former police superintendent. "But those things happen and unfortunately, this turned deadly for Officer Francis."
The name of Officer Richard Francis will be added to the wall at the Gold Star Memorial in a solemn candlelight vigil on September 18th.
The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police said his wake will be 9 p.m. Sunday at Cooney Funeral Home. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday at St. Monica Church.
Donations can be made to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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