Chicago Police Department Weblog

Special Notice

The First Deputy Superintendent James B. Jackson, welcomes any ideas that can help improve our organization. You can submit ideas on the Office of the First Deputy Superintendent’s website located on the CPD Intranet.

The Fire Department has Challenged the Police Department

Would you get your head shaved to beat a challenge from the Fire Department?  Would you volunteer to help raise funds for a great cause without getting your head shaved?  If the answer is yes to either question, please read on.

The Chicago Fire Department actually thinks they can beat the Chicago Police Department.  Last year the Fire Department put together a team of about 100 volunteers and raised almost $100,000.00 for the St. Baldrick's Foundation.  The mission of the St. Baldrick's Foundation is to raise awareness and funds to cure kids' cancer by supporting childhood cancer research and fellowships.  Cancer is the number 1 disease killer of U.S. Children.

St. Baldrick's began as a challenge between three Irish reinsurance executives who wanted to give back to the community so St. Baldrick was created. (There is no Saint Baldrick. The term was created when the founders fused the terms "bald" and "St. Patrick" together since the first event took place on St. Patrick's Day in 2002).    At that event 9 people had their head shaved and raised $70,000.00.  In 2007 more than 3,500 volunteers had their head shaved and raised over $1,700,000.00 for the foundation.

On March 14, 2008, a special event will be held in Chicago and your help is needed. The Timothy J. O'Conner Training Academy will be transformed into a very large barber shop that day and any department member or family member brave enough to get their head shaved can participate between 0600 - 1700 hours.  Obviously the challenge if you are getting your head shaved is to have have a bunch of people donating to this wonderful cause so they can see you bald.

However, It is not necessary to have your head shaved to be part of this fundraiser. There are plenty of opportunities to help out and keep your hair.  Help is needed with raffles, collecting donations, coordinating scheduling, and other activities so no volunteer's will be turned away.

For additional information or to become part of the challenge, contact Bill O'Reilly at 312-745-5426 or send an e-mail to chromedome1269@sbcglobal.net and let him know you are available to be part of the team that beats the Fire Department..

Chaplin's Corner

Ashes will be distributed on Wednesday, 6 Feb. 08 by both Catholic & Protestant Chicago Police Department Chaplains for 30 MINUTES ONLY at each of the following locations unless otherwise specified:

AREA 1-1100 hours AREA 2-1230 hours AREA 3-0900 hours AREA 4-1000 hours AREA 5-1300 hours Alternate Response Unit-0900 hours Education & Training Division-1100 hours Equipment & Supply-1200 hours Fraternal Order of Police-1200 hours Police Headquarters-1200 hours Homan Square/Organized Crime- 1300 hours Major Accident/1st District-1100 hours Medical Examiner-1100-1115 hours Office of Emergency Mgt/Comm. 1400 hours Traffic Court-1000 hours

Map of Gold Star Families Memorial and Park For St. Jude

Reward for Murderer of Police Officer Increased

The reward for the arrest and conviction of the killer of Officer Jose Vazquez has been increased to $26,000.  A Retired Chicago Police officer has added $5,000 to the reward fund.  The Chicago Police Department and the Fraternal Order of Police have each contributed $10.000, in addition to the $1,000 offered by Crimestoppers.  Officer Jose Vazquez was shot to death on 12 Feb 07 at 0145 hours in the parking lot at 2500 block of W. Harrison.  If you have any information regarding this murder please call 1-800-535-STOP or 311.

Funeral Arrangements for Officer Jose Vazquez

The wake for Officer Jose Vazquez will take place at the Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home, 6901 W. Belmont, from 1400 hours to 2100 hours, 15 Feb 07.  St. Jude will meet at 1900 hours on 15 Feb 07.  The funeral mass will be celebrated at Resurrection Church, 2840 W. Nelson at 1000 hours, on 16 Feb 07.

Police Officer Murdered

UPDATE--  The Chicago Police Department and Fraternal Order of Police have each raised $10,000 toward the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer(s) of Officer Jose Vazquez.

As has been reported, on February 12th 2007 at 1:45 AM, Officer Vaquez was shot to death in the parking area of his building at 2527 W. Harrison.

No further information is available. The person(s) responsible for this crime should be considered armed and dangerous. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND. CASH REWARD UP TO $21,000. If you have information, please call 1-800-535-STOP or 311.

Any information on this brutal crime would be appreciated. 

Our condolences to this officer's family. 

Download officer_murdered.pdf