RICHARD J. DALEY POLICE MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS

HISTORY OF THE MEDAL

In 1977 the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor was instituted and intended to be awarded annually to citezens, businesses, government officals and/or members of the Police Departments Command Staff. The first recipient to be awarded the medal was Kenneth W. Sain, Deputy Mayor of Chicago.

This award is presented annually by the Superintendent of Police in memory of Mayor Richard J. Daley’s outstanding service and dedication to the citizens of Chicago. The award can be conferred upon a Command Staff member of the Department; a state, county, or municipal official; or other citizen / business whose accomplishments or service have brought credit to the City of Chicago and/or the Chicago Police Department.

ROLL CALL OF MEDAL RECIPIENTS

Medal recipients are listed in chronological order starting with the most recent. Use the Page Index to jump to a specific year.

2019 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Joe Ahern

Was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Superintendent of Police Eddie T. Johnson.

2018 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

William Nimrod

Was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Friday, May 11, 2018 by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Superintendent of Police Eddie T. Johnson.

2017 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

John C. Robak

Was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Friday, May 19, 2017 by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Superintendent of Police Eddie T. Johnson.

2016 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Philip Cline

Was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Tuesday, May 24, 2016 by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Superintendent of Police Eddie T. Johnson.

2015 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Ronald W. Camden, D.V.M.

Ronald W. Camden, Vetinarian, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. The medal was presented in recognition for his work with the Chicago Police Department’s Mounted Unit.

2014 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Andrew Holmes

Andrew Holmes, Community Activist, was awarded the was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Tuesday, May 27, 2014 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

2013 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Robert Bastone

Robert Bastone was awarded the was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 2013 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

2012 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

No Recipient

No recipient was selected for the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor for 2008.

2011 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipients

Cassidy Alexander

Cassidy Alexander, Artist, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Friday, May 6, 2011 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. The medal was presented in recognition of her regular donations of original pastel portraits of officers killed in the line of duty to the Chicago Police Department. The Department has made a regular practice of gifting these portraits directly to the family of the fallen officer. Ms. Alexander paints the portraits quickly so they are ready to be displayed at the fallen officer’s funeral, and often at the wake the day before.

2010 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Timothy C. Evans

Timothy C. Evans, Chief Judge of Cook County, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Friday, May 7, 2010 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

2009 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Terry Hillard

Terry Hillard, Retired Superintendent of Police of the Chicago Police Department, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Saturday, May 27, 2006 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. The medal was presented in recognition for his many years of service.

2008 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Richard A. Devine

Richard A. Devine, States Attorney of Cook County Illinois, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 2008 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

2007 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

James Sarallo

James Sarallo, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Motorola, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 2006 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. The medal was presented in recognition of his instrumental efforts that led to Motorola becoming the founding sponsor for the Gold Star Memorial and Park construction.

2006 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Scott Arney

Scott Arney, President of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. The medal was presented in recognition of his instrumental efforts in the creation of the Gold Star Memorial and Park. The Gold Star Memorial Park which honors all Chicago Police officers who have been killed in the line or performance of duty is located next to Soldier Field along Chicago’s lakefront. The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation provides support and assistance to the families of officers who have sacrificed their lives in the service and protection of others.

2005 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Edward Zimmerman

Edward Zimmerman was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Monday, May 2, 2005 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

2004 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Patrick J. Fitzgerald

Patrick J. Fitzgerald, Special Counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 2004 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

2003 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

John R. Thomas

John R. Thomas, First Deputy Superintendent of Police for the Chicago Police Department, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Posthumously in May of 2003 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

2002 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Paul Meincke

Paul Meincke, Reporter for ABC Channel 7, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May 2002 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. The medal was presented in recognition for serving as an intermediary in a hostage situation involving a wounded Chicago police officer in 2001.

2001 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Frank T. Jasch

Frank T. Jasch, Founder of The Jasch Organization, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Tuesday, May 8, 2001 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. The medal was presented in recognition for helping others in the community. Mr. Frank Jasch, was a retired 30 year Chicago Police Sergeant. He and his wife Faye, founded the Jasch Organization for the express purpose of helping others. As operators of three McDonalds franchises they instituted the concept of providing a work area in the restaurants for police officers on the beat. A place where patrol officers could fill out paperwork and make phone calls. The program provided added security for the patrons and improved police-community relations. The concept was a success and has been adopted by hundreds of restaurants across the country. Frank and Faye Jasch had selflessly devoted their time, funds and support to countless worthy programs. They supported numerous youth athletic teams and the Chicago Special Olympics. They were primary sponsors of “Operation Shining Star” which assisted needy families during Christmas. The Jasch Organization supported reading programs for young adults, assistance for senior citizens, a Drug Awareness Program and fund raisers for families of police officers who were seriously injured or ill.

2000 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Philip H. Corboy

Philip H. Corboy, Attorney at Law, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Wednesday, May 10, 2000 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place. The medal was presented in recognition for his distinguished history of representing police officers, including the case involving Jim Mullen, who was shot and paralyzed in a 1996 incident. In addition, he was a member of a long-time Chicago Police family; his grandfather, father, uncle, and brother were all Chicago police officers. Combining his police heritage and passion for education, Mr. Corboy established the Harold F. Corboy Memorial Scholarship Fund at John Marshall Law School. This fund, named in honor of his father, assisted Chicago police officers pursuing a law degree.

1999 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Edward Liddy

Edward Liddy, Chairman, President and CEO of Allstate Insurance Company, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Tuesday, May 4, 1999 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. The medal was presented in recognition for his major role in rebuilding and revitalizing Chicago’s neighborhoods. Allstate had donated millions of dollars and their employees had volunteered countless hours to help improve Chicago’s neighborhoods.

1998 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Arnold Mireles

Arnold Mireles, Community Activist, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor posthumously on Tuesday, May 5, 2998 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. The medal was presented in recognition for his fight to hold slum landlords accountable for their properties in his southeast side neighborhood and his battle against gangs. Mireles was gunned down in a murder for hire plot concocted by a neighborhood building owner angered by the Mireles’ pressure to correct code violations.

The Chicago Police Department named an award in his honor, the “Arnold Mireles Special Partnership Award.” The award is presented to any Department sworn or civilian member or citizen who has made a significant impact upon the quality of life within his/her community by identifying and resolving problems. This award is presented to Department sworn members in the form of a ribbon bar and certificate and to Department civilians and citizens in the form of a “Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy” (CAPS) lapel pin and certificate.

1997 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Jerry M. Reinsdorf

Jerry M. Reinsdorf was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 1997 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

1996 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Father Thomas R. Nangle

Father Thomas R. Nangle, Catholic Priest and Head Chaplain of the Chicago Police Department, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 1996 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

1995 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Fred Foreman

Fred Foreman was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 1995 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers.

1994 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Willie Simmons, Jr.

Willie Simmons, Jr., Director of Corporate Security of First National Bank of Chicago, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Saturday, May 7, 1994 in ceremonies at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers. The medal was presented in recognition for his service to community crime fighting groups.

1993 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

E. J. Brach Corporation

The E. J. Brach Corporation was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 1993 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place.

1992 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Albert Appa

Albert Appa was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 1992 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place.

1991 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Ralph C. Capparelli

Ralph C. Capparelli was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 1991 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place.

1990 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipients

Russ Ewing

Joe Kellman

Russ Ewing and Joe Kellman were awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 1990 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place.

1989 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipients

Arnold Morton

Nick Perrino

Arnold Morton, Owner of Arnold’s Resteraunt, and Nick Perrino, Owner of Home Run Inn Pizza, were awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Tuesday, May 2, 1989 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place.

The medal was awarded to Arnold Morton in recognition for his support and philanthropic interests towards those less fortunate than himself, such as the Chicago Area Special Olympics and the Neediest Children’s Fund. Morton also had kept alive the Department’s youth sports program by donating needed equipment.

The medal was awarded to Nick Perrino in recognition for his continued support of countless charitable organizations, including the Department’s Explorer Scout Program. Particularly special groups to Perrino are the children of Misericordia Home and the Chicago Boys Club.

1988 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Harry W. Porterfield

Harry W. Porterfield, Reporter for WLS Channel 9, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Monday, May 2, 1987 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place. The medal was presented in recognition for volunteering his time and talents to serve as master of ceremonies at various Department functions, including the Annual Anti-Litter / Graffiti Parade. As a veteran Chicago news reporter Harry Porterfield, member of the Channel 7 Eyewitness News team, was a winner of 10 Emmy Awards. He was particularly noted for his special features on people of interest in Chicago and was deeply concerned about Chicago and its various communities as well as a major supporter of the Chicago Police Department.

1987 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipients

Bob Collins

Tom Petersen

Bob Collins and Tom Petersen were awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Tuesday, May 5, 1987 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place. The medal was presented in recognition for their dedication to the annual awards ceremony. Collins had served as the event’s master of ceremony for the previous six years, and Petersen for the previous four years. By voluntarily giving their time and talent, and adjusting their professional schedules for the production of the Department’s Recognition Ceremonies, they have contributed greatly to the success of the events.

1986 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Ralph G. Scheu

Ralph G. Scheu, President of the Hundred Club of Cook County, received the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Monday, May 19, 1985 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place. The medal was awarded to the more than 600 members of the Hundred Club of Cook County.

The Hundred Club was founded in 1966 to assist the families of police officers and firefighters of Cook County who have been killed in the line of duty.

Scheu’s father, the late Ralph J. Scheu, was founder of the Hundred Club and was himself presented the Richaed J. Daley Medal of Honor in 1978. Scheu, who has continued the fine leadership of his father, accepted the award on behalf of the members of the organization.

1985 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipients

Maurice Moore

Patricia Moore

Maurice Moore and Patricia Moore, Owners of Maurice Moore Memorials, were awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Monday, May 20, 1985 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place. The medal was awarded in recognition of their generosity for offering to supply engraved headstones for all Chicago Police Officers and Firefighters who died while in the line or performance of duty. The stones are inscribed with a replica of the officer’s star or firefighter’s shield number. In the previous six years, the families of 19 public servants, including 14 police officers, have benefited from the benevolence of the Moore family. The savings realized from this philanthropic activity amounted to thousands of dollars.

1984 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipients

Irv Kupcinet

Samuel W. Nolan

Irv Kupcinet, Columnist, and Samuel W. Nolan, Retired Acting Superintendent of Police, were awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Monday, May 21, 1984 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place. The medal was awarded in recognition of their community service. Nolan had served the citizens of Chicago with great distinction in many capacities.

Kupcinet, famed Sun-Times columnist and host of the televised “Kup’s Show”, had received numerous awards for philanthropiC activities. Kupcinet founded and hosts the annual Purple Heart Cruise which has honored and entertained our war heroes for 39 years. He continually supported the cause of our Department and the citizens and government of our city. Kupcinet had served as host of the entertainment segment of the Recognition Ceremony for 14 years and has enlisted top entertainment stars such as Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope.

Upon receiving the award, Kupcinet said, “I really shouldn’t be honored. My participation is Not a small contribution to the program. The officers are the ones who give so much. I salute them.

Nolan’s 35-year Chicago Police career saw him advance through the ranks of patrotman to first deputy superintendent until his retirement as acting superintendent. He was then appointed the city’s first Public Safety director. Nolan also had served on the executive board of the Chicago Conference on Religion and Race and as deputy director of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. He also was the driving force behind the establishment of the Department’s Bureau of Community Services, which had become a model for other police departments throughout the country.

Nolan was humble in the acceptance of the award and said that his award belonged to many. “This is a WE award,” he said. “You, the sworn and civilian personnel and members of the community share in this award. No work can be done without the community. We need each other.” He added, “this ceremony brings back memories as I see many friends from yesteryear.” Nolan then brought out Director Harry Blackburn, of the Neighborhood Relations Division, and complimented him on his 21 years as production supervisor of the Recognition Ceremony, saying “this is his last hurrah!”

1983 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipients

William Geller

Marshall Korshak

William Geller, Attorney at Law, and Marshall Korshak, Chicago Police Board, were awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Monday, May 23, 1983 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place. The medal was presented in recognition for their ambitious work serving as co-chairmen of the Citizens for Safety Vests and their efforts in raising the needed funds for the campaign.

The campaign began when Geller, an attorney with the American Bar Association, and Korshak, a member of the Police Board and former city treasurer, met and agreed that Department officers should be provided bullet proof vests. They then organized a committee of prominent Chicagoans and enlisted their support in the project.

Geller and Korshak then organized volunteer workers to assist in numerous fund raising activities. All administrative tasks were handled by volunteers so that every penny raised would be used to purchase vests. All advertising and office expenses were donated.

In less than a year, Geller and Korshak had accomplished the next to impossible task of raising enough money to provide a bullet proof vest for each Chicago police officer.

1982 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Unknown Recipient

It is unknown who the recipient was for the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor for 1982. There may have been no recipient selected.

1981 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Matthew Lamb Jr.

Richard J. Lamb

Howard L. Willett Foundation

Matthew Lamb Jr., Richard J. Lamb and the Howard L. Willett Foundation were awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 1981 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place.

1980 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Robert J. Smith

Robert J. Smith, President of the Smith-Corcoran and Lain-Hursen Funeral Homes, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor on Monday, May 12, 1980 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place. The medal was presented in recognition for the assistance he has given to families of officers slain in the line of duty. In offering his services through the Hundred Club of Cook County since 1972, Smith has provided funeral services virtually free of charge to the families of eight officers. The savings realized from his kindness amounts to thousands of dollars to the Gold Star Families.

1979 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Vincent J. Biskupic

Vincent J. Biskupic, Former Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 1979 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place. The medal was presented in recognition for his diligence in the handling of claims for state payment of benefits to widows, children and families of police and firefighters killed in line of duty. Through his diligence, 147 claims, including 49 on behalf of police families, had been honored.

1978 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipients

Richard J. Elrod

Ralph J. Scheu

Richard J. Elrod, Sheriff for Cook County Illinois, and Ralph J. Scheu, Founder of the Hundred Club of Chicago, were awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 1978 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place.

Ralph J. Scheu was awarded the medal posthumously, his son Ralph G. Scheu accepted the award on his behalf. The medal was presented in recognition for his diligence in the founding of the Hundred Club of Cook County, which was organized to assist the families of police officers of Cook County and fire fighters killed in the line of duty.

1977 Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor Recipient

Kenneth W. Sain

Kenneth W. Sain, Deputy Mayor for the City of Chicago, was awarded the Richard J. Daley Police Medal of Honor in May of 1977 in ceremonies at the Arie Crown Theatre located at McCormick Place. The medal was presented in recognition in recognition of his tireless efforts on organizing and coordinating the Special Arson Task Force, created specifically last year to provide prompt, around-the-clock investigative responses to halt the frequent and escalating number of arsons and other fires plaguing residents of the East Humboldt Park area. Many innovative programs were developed and implemented with community participation and agencies such as the police, Fire and other City Departments. Deputy Mayor Sain also coordinated efforts of private agencies which assisted community residents and various fire insurance organizations in emergencies.