9 Illinois Police Officers' Names To Be Added To Memorial
WASHINGTON (CBS/WBBM) -- The names of nine Illinois police officers will be among 152 added to a memorial wall in Washington this week.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Regine Schlesinger reports, they are the officers killed in the line of duty last year nationwide.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Regine Schlesinger reports
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As part of National Police Week, a candlelight vigil on Friday will commemorate the newly-inscribed names on the National Law Enforcement Memorial.
Director Craig Floyd says the 152 officers killed last year represent a reversal after decline. Why are so many dying?
"We're cutting the budgets of law enforcement agencies around this country. That means less training, less equipment, fewer officers on the street," Floyd said.
It also means "more brazen, cold-blooded criminals on the streets of America today, who don't think twice about shooting a police officer."
With five officers killed last year, the Chicago Police Department suffered more fallen officers than any single agency, except the California Highway Patrol, which also lost five.
Those five officers were:
--Officer Thomas Wortham IV, who was shot and killed in a robbery near his parents' home in the 8400 block of South King Drive on May 20.
--Officer Thor Soderberg, who was shot and killed as he walked to his car at the end of a shift at the police facility at 61st Street and Racine Avenue on July 7.
--Officer Michael Bailey, who was shot and killed while cleaning out his car at his home near 74th Street and Evans Avenue on July 18.
--Officer David Blake, who was shot and killed in his personal vehicle in the 2900 block of West Seipp Street on Nov. 25.
--Officer Michael Flisk, who was shot and killed as he investigated a burglary in a garage behind the 8100 block of South Burnham Avenue on Nov. 26. Also killed in the shooting was retired Chicago Housing Authority police officer Stephen Peters.
Seven officers and deputies who died in the line of duty were honored at the 10th annual ceremony – five Chicago Police officers, and two Cook County Sheriff's officers who were killed more than 80 years ago.
