Monday, March 29, 2010
Chicago Sun-Times
by Mary Houlihan

Bill Christian doesn't remember much about his father, Frank J. Christian, a Cook County sheriff's police officer who was killed in the line of duty Oct. 19, 1941.

All he has is a cherished memory of a toy fire truck, a gift from his dad, and a photo of his father in uniform.

"We're quite honored that this is happening," Christian said, from his Brookfield home. "We never expected anything, so this is quite a surprise."

At 11 a.m. today Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, joined by families of the officers, will unveil the memorial in the auditorium of Triton College in River Grove. It will be permanently displayed at the entrance to the Cook County sheriff's police headquarters in Maywood.

"It is an honor to be able to pay these men the proper respect they so richly deserve," Dart said in a statement. "Their families deserve to know how much we appreciate their sacrifice and the place each of the officers will forever hold within our department."

The cherrywood cabinet features a rendering of each officer on an 8- by 10-inch magnesium plate, along with a description of the circumstances of the officer's death. A sheriff's patch and star also will be placed in each memorial.

The display is the culmination of years of research and outreach to surviving family members in order to insure that the eight officers received proper recognition.

"All of these men truly deserve this honor," Christian said. "Their sacrifice was great and it now will be remembered."