18 DEC 2021: Chicago Police Directing Chaplain Father Dan Brandt presented two hand made quilts on behalf of Quilts for Cops at the Asian American Law Enforcement Association event. Officer John Pham received a quilt along with Lt. Joe Giambrone who accepted the quilt on behalf of Officer Sean Conley.

31 OCT 2020: Officer Pham and Officer Conley where responding to an in progress call when there vehicle was involved in an auto accident around the 1900 block on North Kimball Ave.

05 DEC 2021: The Edison Park Chamber of Commerce hosted a Christmas tree blessing and lighting ceremony. At the event, Chamber director Amanda Harres, Santa Claus and I witnessed PO Peter Palka (016 CAPS) “Pinch The Grinch.” Here you’ll see Officer Palka placing The Grinch into custody. Good work, Peter! You saved Christmas.

 
 
 
 
21 NOV 2021: Queen of Martyrs Parish at 103rd and Central Park hosted a Blue Mass, thanking and praying for and with our beloved first responders. Thank you, Queen of Martyrs Parish family, for the loving support you show our troops.

 
 
November 4, 2021: Chicago Police Officer Niko Lopez received a quilt presented by Chaplain Hysni Selencia on behalf of Quilts for Cops.

June 13, 2021: Officer Lopez and his partner Officer Segovia were responding to a call of shots fired when a vehicle traveling at a high rated speed and failing to yield, struck there police vehicle. The great impact cause there vehicle to collide into a street pole.

 
 
 
November 3, 2021: Chicago Police Officer Matt Segovia received a quilt presented by Chaplain Joseph Jackson on behalf of Quilts for Cops.

June 13, 2021: Officer Segovia and his partner Officer Lopez were responding to a call of shots fired when a vehicle traveling at a high rated speed and failing to yield, struck there police vehicle. The great impact cause there vehicle to collide into a street pole.

08 NOV 2021: Fr. Dan Brandt has the pleasure of spending some time with PO Carlos Yanez and PO Josh Blas at the annual Emerald Society Thanksgiving Dinner.

On 07 AUG, Carlos and Josh lost their partner, Ella French, to a felon who should have never been on the street. (You can thank Kim, our beloved Cook County State's Attorney, for that.)

 
 
October 25th, 2021: Chicago Police Officer Raven Hoskins was presented a quilt by Chaplain Kimberly Lewis-Davis on behalf of Quilts for Cops.

September 24th, 2021: Officer Hoskins and her partner responded to a call of shots fired. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Hoskins was just about to exit the police vehicle to render aid to a person laying on the ground. At this point Officer Hoskins was shot at and received gunshot wounds to both of her legs. Officer Hoskins was able to have the strength and will power to drive herself directly to the hospital.

 
 
08 OCT 2021: Congratulations to Det. Daniel Jones and his new wife, Christina. The ceremony ended with a special treat: Sgt. Jon Harmening (Pipe Major of the Emerald Society) piped the newly-married couple down the aisle of beautiful St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church.

 
 

27 SEP 2021: A golf outing was hosted at Beverly Country Club, benefitting the 100 Club of Illinois. Here you'll see Nick Barraco and Fr. Dan Brandt, who drove around the course all day delivering beverages to participants. Nick's family owns Barraco's Pizza restaurants, who LOVE the police and the good work we do. Please patronize them when you need a south-side meal!

By the way, you'll notice the CPD riot helmet on the front of the cart...considering some of the hack golfers present, that helmet was a lifesaver!

05 SEP 2021: PO Shannon Torres poses with Directing Chaplain Fr. Dan Brandt at the North Avenue entrance to Lake Shore Drive for the annual "Bike the Drive" event. Thank you, Shannon, for keeping us safe!

21 SEP 2021: The Upper Room Club meets at the Newark Nook to discuss current events, Scripture, faith, and the sacred work of policing.

 

September 1, 2021: Chicago Police Officer Veronica Franco was presented a handmade quilt by Chaplain Hysni Selenica on behalf of Quilts for Cops.

June 2, 2021: Officer Franco and her partner were responding to an emergency call. At which point a vehicle struck them while crossing the intersection at 63rd and Cornell. Causing their vehicle to turnover.

 
 

03 SEP 2021: A group of 45 Catholic nuns from seven Latin-American countries pray at the site at 63rd and Bell where PO Ella French lost her life on 07 AUG 2021. Pictured here, Fr. Jack Wall, President of Catholic Church Extension, coordinated the visit.

01 SEP 2021: On Wednesday night rounds through the districts, the Chaplains Unit stumbles upon PO Kate Moriarty keeping crime at bay in 025. Notice...absolutely NO criminal activity at North Avenue and Cicero on her watch!

 
 

August 31, 2021: Chicago Police Officer Michael Kocerka was presented a quilt by Chaplain Hysni Selenica and Robert Montelongo on behalf of Quilts for Cops.

March 25, 2021: Officer Kocerka responded to a call of a person shot at the Home Depot at around the location of the 4500 block on south Western Ave. Officer Kocerka suffered a gunshot wound when he confronted the offender who had just shot and killed the Home Depot security guard. Officer Kocerka's action and other responding officers on scene help diffuse the threat from other citizens from being shot by the offender.

28 AUG 2021: Chaplain Joe Jackson officiates a CPD wedding at Chicago Botanical Gardens. Congratulations William and Kimberly! 

 
 
 
 

11 AUG 2021: Residents of the 016th district host a SUPPORT THE POLICE rally outside their police station at 5151 N. Milwaukee Ave. Thousands showed up to express their love of order, peace and the rule of law. Romans 13!

 
 

August 18, 2021: Chicago Police Officer Jordan Hartfield of the 007th District was presented a quilt by Chicago Police Chaplain Joseph Jackson on behalf of Quilts for Cops. Quilts for Cops is a nationwide origination with a team of volunteers who handmakes quilts for officers injured in the line of duty.

September 18, 2020: Officer Hartfield and his partner were on an investigatory traffic stop. At which point the offender fled on foot and Officer Hartfield chased after the fleeing offender. During the course of the foot pursuit, Officer Harfield fell, causing injury to his right femur.

 
 
 

Chicago Quilts for Cops gathered at the 16th District on Saturday, August 21st. Showcased is a quilt that was presented to an Officer who is currently assigned to 016.

 
 
 

17 JUL 2021: The Chicago Chapter of Quilts for Cops assembles in the community room at the 016th district to sew quilts for police officers injured in the line of duty. More information about Quilts for Cops can by found by clicking HERE.

9 JUL 2021: Chaplains Kimberly Lewis-Davis and Joe Jackson meeting with 006th district Officers.

27 JUN 2021: It's good to be back!!! The police Mass resumes at Mercy Home, just in a different spot than usual. While Covid protocols are still in place for the protection of Mercy Home's residents and staff, we are able to use their indoor soccer field to celebrate Mass every second and fourth Sunday. Thank God!!! 

03 JUL 2021: The Fr. Perez Council of the Knights of Columbus are praying the Rosary every Saturday of this month outside police stations around the southwest side/suburbs. Here on 03 JUL they are joined by Alderman Ray Lopez outside the 008 district station. See our homepage for a calendar of other visits throughout July.

02 JUL 2021: A streetside memorial service is held for PO Richard Francis at 1:45 a.m., the exact time and date he was killed 13 years prior. The location of the service is the place where his life was taken: Belmont and Western. Thank you to all the officers and supervisors who attended...and to the Pipes and Drums of the Emerald Society who played us in and out. May Rich rest in peace.

     
20 JUN 2021: We return to the long-standing tradition of celebrating an outdoor Fathers' Day Mass at Gold Star Families Memorial and Park. Mother Nature agreed, and the crowds were terrific. May God continue to hear and grant our prayers!

06 JUN 2021: Fr. Dan Brandt brings the White Sox a loss to the Detroit Tigers and after the game, visits with some of our heroes working the Detail Unit. They are (L-R) Jeff Galloway, Adam Daoud, Edward Stancin, Rozillius Cain and Christopher Lindahl. Keep up the great work, guys!

 
 
May 19, 2021: Chicago Police Sgt. Murphy Rayl received a handmade quilt presented by Chaplain Hysni Selenica and Chaplain Robert Montelongo on behalf of Quilts for Cops.

July 17, 2020: Sgt. Murphy Rayl was injured while in the performance of his tour of duty in Grant Park Chicago guarding the Columbus statue, when several protesters and rioters aggressively threw many objects directly sticking Sgt. Rayl and other officers on scene. This traumatic event caused injuries to several officers on this day.

 
 
 
 
 

16 MAY 2021: Fr. Dan Brandt blesses the cars of the CPD GEARHEADS Car Club at their annual car blessing at Bunker Hill Woods in Niles. Travel safely, friends!

16 MAY 2021: As two Chicago Police Officers are released after being treated at Mount Sinai Hospital, an honor guard of their brothers and sisters in blue assembles. Before leaving, they choose to stay behind to let out a sigh of relief and pray, thanking God that their two brothers who were shot just four hours earlier will be okay. For ten minutes on a Sunday morning, we turned Mt. Sinai's parking lot into a sacred space!

     
18 May 2021: Chicago Police Officer Joel Gordils was presented a handmade quilt by Chaplain Hysni Selenica and Chaplain Robert Montelongo on behalf of Quilts for Cops.

23 November 2020: Officer Gordils and his partner conducted a traffic stop when Officer Gordils approached the driver side of the vehicle. At which point the offender drove off as Officer Gordils got stuck in the door. The offender continued to drive and accelerated at a high rated speed dragging Officer Gordils down an entire city block and crashing into a street pole. At which point Officer Gordils then ejected several feet from the vehicle. Officer Gordils was crucially injured on multiple levels during this tragic incident. 
 

17 May 2021: Chicago Police Officer Alex Edwards was presented a quilt by Chaplain Hysni Selenica in front of the 6th District station on behalf of Quilts for Cops. Quilts for Cops is a nationwide organization that has a team of volunteers who individually hand makes quilts for police officers who were injured while in the performance in their tour of duty. Quilts for Cops is currently forming a Chicago chapter of quilt makers and will be in full operation starting June 2021.

28 August 2020: Officer Alex Edwards and his partner Blair Farmer were injured in an auto accident at the intersection of 8300 S Rhodes as they were responding to a call.  

   
April 28, 2021: Chicago Police Officer Cysel Torres was presented a handmade quilt by Chaplain Hysni Selenica and Chaplain Robert Montelongo on behalf of Quilts for Cops.

March 20, 2021: Officer Torres was responding to a call in the alley at the location of 207 N. La Cross Ave. at around 11:30 a.m. At which point the offender began shooting several rounds at the responding officers and Officer Torres was shot on the left hand while in the performance of her duties.

24 APR 2021: As National Geographic Magazine recently highlighted us, you'll see here Chaplains Joe Jackson, Dr. Kimberly Lewis-Davis, Fr. Dan Brandt and Hysni Selenica at a memorial service for deceased Commander Paul Bauer. May Paul rest in peace!

 
 
 

April 5, 2021: Chicago Police Officer Gabriel Bikoma is presented a handmade quilt by Chicago Police Chaplain Hysni Selenica and Chaplain Joseph Jackson on behalf of Quilts for Cops.

July 4, 2020: Officer Gabriel Bikoma and his partner Officer David Suareza were responding to an in-progress call of shots fired and a man with a gun. As the officers were driving westbound on Chicago Ave approaching the intersection at Pulaski Rd, at which point they immediately swerved to avoid from colliding with another police vehicle. The officer's vehicle then struck the traffic light pole causing severe injury to both officers.

 
 
 
 

April 5, 2021: Chicago Police Officer Marissa Garbacz was presented a handmade quilt by Sgt. Shannon Martin and Chaplain Hysni Selenica on behalf of Quilts for Cops.

May 31, 2020: Officer Garbacz was critically injured during the performance of her duties, as several protesters and rioters threw rocks and other objects at the officers. Officer Garbacz was moving in on trying to apprehend the offenders who had thrown the objects.

 
 

Feb. 26, 2021: Chicago Police Officer David Suarez was presented a handmade quilt on behalf of Quilts for Cops from Directing Chaplain Father Dan Brandt, Chaplain Robert Montelongo and Chaplain Hysni Selenica.

July 4, 2020: Officer David Suarez and his partner Officer Gabriel Bikoma were responding to an in-progress call of shots fired and a man with a gun. As the officers were driving westbound on Chicago Ave approaching the intersection at Pulaski Rd, at which point they immediately swerved to avoid from colliding with another police vehicle. The officer's vehicle then struck the traffic light pole causing severe injury to both officers.

 
 

Feb. 25, 2021: Chicago Police Officer Isaac Varela and Officer Luis Otero receive a handmade quilt by Quilts for Cops in the 12th District. Commander Gabriella Shemash presented a quilt to Officer Varela along with Captain Beth Giltmier presenting a quilt to Officer Otero. Sgt. Victor Media, Chaplain Kimberly Lewis-Davis, Chaplain Joseph Jackson and Chaplain Hysni Selenica offered some words of wisdom during the presentation.

Aug. 30, 2020: Officer Varela and Officer Otero were assisting on a traffic stop at 3309 W. Polk at about 2:33 a.m. as Officer Varela and Officer Otero were attempting to place the offender in custody, at which point the offender reached for a cancelled handgun and shot Officer Otero and Officer Varela. The offender then fired several rounds at the other officers on scene.

We have a new guardian angel in blue. On 24 FEB, Detective Geoff Woitel, 49 years old, lost his battle with cancer. Having the honor of calling Geoff a friend, I was truly touched to witness the vast sea of CPD brothers and sisters gathered outside his house for a prayer service at the time of his death. Thank you to the hundreds who participated. May Geoff rest in peace! 

  
Jan. 16, 2021: Chicago Police Officer Luis Laurenzana receives a handmade quilt from Quilts for Cops, presented by Chaplain Hysni Selenica while offering an introduction and a few words of wisdom to the unit.

July 17, 2020: Officer Luis Laurenzana was injured while in the performance of his tour of duty in Grandt Park Chicago guarding the Columbus statue, when several protesters and rioters threw many objects at the officers. Causing injuries to several officers on this day.

Thanks to the entire Quilts for Cops team for your service in bringing comfort and a smile to all officers.

  

Jan. 16, 2021: Chicago Police Sgt. Shannon Martin presents a handmade quilt on behalf of Quilts for Cops to Officer William Taylor. Chaplain Hysni Selenica offered an introduction and some words of wisdom during this presentation.

July 17, 2020: Officer William Taylor was injured while in the performance of his tour of duty in Grant Park guarding the Columbus statue, when several protesters and rioters threw many objects at the officers, causing injuries to several officers.

Thanks to the entire Quilts for Cops team for your service in bringing comfort and a smile to all officers.

   

Jan. 16, 2021: Chicago Police Sgt. Shannon Martin presents a handmade quilt on behalf of Quilts for Cops to Officer Alejandro Guerrero. Chaplain Hysni Selenica offered an introduction and some words of inspiration during the presentation.

July 17, 2020: Officer Alejandro Guerrero was injured while in the performance of his tour of duty in Grant Park, guarding the Columbus statue, when several protesters and rioters threw objects at the officers. Several officers were seriously injured that day.

Thanks to the entire Quilts for Cops team for your service in bringing comfort and a smile to our officers.

 
 

30 DEC 2020: Chicago Police Commander Robert Rubio of the 004th District and Father Dan Brandt, Director of the Chaplains Section, presented a quilt on behalf of “Quilt for Cops” to Officer Timothy Andersen during roll call.

On 20 NOV 2020, Police Officer Timothy Andersen responded to a call of a mentally-disturbed person. Upon arrival, the subject was armed with a knife and self-inflicted lacerations. Many tactics were used to de-escalate the situation and take control of the subject. At some point when the offender was on the ground, Officer Andersen attempted to place handcuffs on the subject when that party stabbed Officer Andersen in the abdomen area.

 
 
 
 
 

30 DEC 2020: Chicago Police Directing Chaplain Father Dan Brandt presents a handmade quilt on behalf of “Quilts for Cops” to Officer Christopher Mc Mahon. Attending the presentation were Chaplain Bob Montelongo and Chaplain Hysni Selenica who offered other gifts of appreciation.

On 17 JUL 2020, Officer Mc Mahon was injured while in the performance of his duties in Grant Park guarding the Columbus statue, hundreds of violent protesters and threw objects at the officers, causing injuries to several officers.

Thanks to the entire “Quilts for Cops” team for your service in bringing comfort and a smile to all office.