PO Francis Editorial
- The funeral is over and, in a city this big and busy, so is the public conversation. Police Officer Richard "Buzz" Francis has been mourned at an official memorial celebrating his life and his sacrifice. Much of Chicago has moved on. Not that anyone intends disrespect, mind you. It's just that each day brings new joys and tragedies, and vacation weeks beckon, and baseball's All-Star Game is nigh, and . . . well, you know how it goes.
That is not, though, how it goes in thousands of anxious households where the loved ones of city and suburban police officers relentlessly dread the ring of the phone, the knock at the door. Many of those families never before have been this close to what they saw and heard and felt in the past few days. They had not before witnessed the pageantry, but also the premature finality, of Monday's full honors funeral.
The whole thing is a lengthy read, but worth it.
Also, this info coming in the comment sections:
Also, this info coming in the comment sections:
- The Richard M. Francis Benefit Fund has been set up and anyone interested in donating can send their donations to
The Chicago Patrolmen's Credit Union
5310 N. Harlem Avenue
Chicago Il, 60656
Labels: officer down
posted by SCC at 12:07 AM
38 Comments:
P.O. Richard Francis and his family will always be in my prayers. This family should benefit directly from any monetary donations since the pension to widows/dependents is not all that. This is the information I was waiting for, I will be donating; thanks scc.
The 100 Club (all donations/volunteers) gave this family a check the same time cline visited asking that donations be sent to the Chicago Memorial Fund.
SCC, This is a wonderful thread. In spite of all of our complaints, this sort of thing is what's truly important.
I grew up with Marc Koumondourus...I saw him go from a normal kid to a demon that lost his father in a heroic act of the best stature of who we are...
His Father was James Koumondouros... A P.O. in 017 who was shot thwarting a bank robbery . I saw Marc change at a level that none of us should even imagine.
I'm a Dick now...I still watch his mother's home at every tour.
I was in the Training Division...She saw me in OSCO and she yelled at me for taking this job.
I was in my Khakis.
She said
"Oh My God No! Why would you do that to your mother?!"
I love this Job...God bless the Gold Star Families!!!
Det. Edward C. Schak
Any of our three CPFCU locations will also accept deposits for donations in person. So when your at the credit union, make a donation please.
Thank you to the SCC for posting the information regarding the Richard M. Francis Benefit Fund information. We were able to get the final steps of setting up the fund completed yesterday, but now need help getting the word out to people who have been wanting to give, directly to the family. Please let people know that the fund is now available for anyone that wants to give. That would be so helpfuul. Thank you.
Become a member of the Hundred Club. Its only 50 bucks a year. We all piss away more than that on stupid crap. They at least do some good for the family.
The 100 Club (all donations/volunteers) gave this family a check the same time cline visited asking that donations be sent to the Chicago Memorial Fund.
Shame on Phil Cline, He needs that 6 figure salary. Thats for the info SCC.
You know what has consistently bothered me with all of the media reports on Officer Francis' murder? The fact that they describe the offender as a 4'11" female and almost ALWAYS leave out the fact that the bitch weighed 300lbs. Makes it sound as though some little valley girl got a jump on him, instead of this behemoth. May he rest in peace and his family will be in our prayers.
Phil Cline should be ashamed of himself taking money meant to help murdered policeman's families. That really pisses me off,what kind of lowlifes have the CPD bosses become?
Where is all the money that the Memorial Fund is raising going? Don't they collect more than 30,000 a month just from the backs of working coppers? Let's not forget the corp. sponsers, how many thousands of dollars have they given? Anyone have any info? Truth please, not just rumors.
Cline and the Police Memorial Fund. Whoever thought a Police Memorial Fund would be controversial. What a shame, bad karma for someone.
If anyone knows...what is the police memorial fund contributing to the family? I personally give 120 per year...if everyone contributes that amount its well over a million dollars to that fund yearly. I know the 100 club starts off with 50K. Just to vent....Shame on the memorial for those awful shirts they tried to sell this past year....who ever had the final say on that color should be fired. They have countless boxes of shirts left over at TRU. God bless PO Francis and his family.
I mentioned this in another thread:
I attended the 019th District golf outing yesterday (09 Jul), and as always it was a great time. This year's proceeds went to the Francis family. Next year's outing will be in honor of P.O. Richard Francis and like previous events, the money will go to needy police families.
I've been going to this event for years now and the attendance has dropped. There was a time when we had so many people the course had 2 starts. I would love to see those numbers again. However, the camaraderie remains and we joined together as a family... as we always should.
I encourage everyone in the department, and anyone who reads this blog to show interest and attend next year's golf outing. Please contact 019 CAPS office.
God Bless
Richard M. Francis
(posted in suntimes obituary)
Francis, Richard M. CPD, cherished husband of Deborah, devoted father of Bianca and Amanda Kmic, beloved son of the late Jeanette and Eugene Francis. Dedicated Police Officer. Member of FOP, Navy Veteran of Vietnam.
In lieu of flowers, donations to The Chicago Police Department Memorial Foundation, 1359 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, IL, 60607, would be appreciated.
For P.O. Richard Francis, his family always came first. In his honor, PLEASE DONATE DIRECTLY TO HIS FAMILY.
Donate directly to Rich's family, no other way. Please.
After 22 years on this job..the death of a brother or sister PO still hits me and my family like a ton of bricks..we all know as we leave for work everyday theres that "slim" chance..but we push it away. For myself and those reading this, God has shown us his mercy and im sure on more than once occassion his devine intervention, because some of the shit Ive come into on the job sometimes I was amazed that I wasnt killed. REMEMBER..all we have out there is EACH other! BACK EACH OTHER UP..roll by when guys are on a street stop just to give'em a wave just to make sure everything is ok.. Im a cop..I took an oath..to serve and protect..even with all the bullshit on this department these days.i enjoy my job..not for the aggravation it gives me, but because by-in-large I work with some of the best people Ive ever met.Daley and his police puppet J-Fed can go screw themselves and Obama's daughter will be elected president before I write another mover to get revenue for this city but to all of my brother and sisters on the job, I recommit myself to being there for each and every one of you should u need assistence. May God hold Buzz and his family in the palm of his hand. Rest in Peace brother, a job WELL DONE! we'll take it from here.
Is it true that Fat Phil coerced the Francis family into publicly asking for donations to the Chicago Police Memorial Fund as I have been told????
If this is true,I hope that bastard rots in Hell.
The family did pick the police memorial as the charity in lieu of flowers. At the time they were thinking of a cause that would help other policemen in a time of need and not themselves. Believe me, they do need this fund and will need itin years to come. They are a modest family and a truly amazing one at that. Please use any and all resources you all have to donate. For the media that showed the taste video from this sight, tell the public about the fund. They truly deserve it.
rest well, brother
anonymous said...
Phil Cline should be ashamed of himself taking money meant to help murdered policeman's families. That really pisses me off,what kind of lowlifes have the CPD bosses become?
7/12/2008 06:13:00 PM
---
The usual kind. Deceitful, lying, thieving, dishonest, worthy of indictment. That kind.
Perhaps much of Chicago has moved on, however the police memorial is always busy.
2008 Total LODD: 57
Automobile accident: 20
Exposure to toxins: 1
Gunfire: 20
Gunfire (Accidental): 1
Heart attack: 2
Motorcycle accident: 3
Stabbed: 2
Struck by vehicle: 2
Vehicular assault: 6
Please donate directly to the Francis family and never forget...
You know what, all you Cline haters go f*ck yourselves. The Memorial foundation did donate to the Francis family. And Cline attended the funeral, and sat in the last row of the church unlike any of the politicians, he asked for no anouncement that he was there. This week the police memorial foundation sponsored the bus trip down to Springfield to keep the Murderer of Officer Patrick Crowley in prison. The foundation paid for the bus and lunch for the officers that went down and plans to do the same at up coming hearings for other officers. Cline at the very least has done things for the fallen officers that this department has never even considered.
Like Cline or hate him he's done fine in my eyes so far.
And to the guy who wants the donations to go right to "Rich's" family. I worked with Rick for 10 years, that was his name, not Rich or Richard so stop your hating and using peoples names that you never even used.
Thank you for letting us know about this. Next time I am at the credit union I will make a donation.
Please SCC, do a post on what exactly was given to the Francis family by the Chicago Police Memorial. I am a wife of a PO, I would really like to know this. This is something we all need to be informed about. We have bought bricks, my husband has money taken out of his paycheck. But, if none of these donations actually go to the families when something this tragic happens it's something we need to know. It's something we need to be informed about.
You seem to be the only source that actually gets to the bottom of things! Thank you.
P.S. Our family will be making a donation to the Francis family directly at the credit union this week. May he RIP. Please be careful out there CPD.
Where you come up with Cline saying to donate to the Memorial Fund, the family requested rather than flowers that donations be made to the Memorial.
The Chicago Police Memorial made a $10,000.00 contribution to Officer Francis' family to assist with their immediate expenses the day he was killed.
You really need to learn the facts before you make such misguided comments.
Cline and the Police Memorial Fund. Whoever thought a Police Memorial Fund would be controversial. What a shame, bad karma for someone.
I stopped giving when I was unable to get info as to what Cline and others were paid, when I called they refused to tell me, I alway though it was a slush fund for Cline and company.
You know what, all you Cline haters go f*ck yourselves. The Memorial foundation
Sure they did about 2 cents on the dollars . No one hates Cline we hate what he has done to a fund for DEAD police officers. If he is so wonderful why does he along with the others at the fund take large paychecks??? 6 figure's I guess he needs it. they gave a small amount to the Francis Family. Until they all volunteer no more from me. This fund needs to be investigated no accountability.
$10,000- they take that in twice a month. Where is all the money? 5 dollars a month - 5000 at least donors. What a scam.
The Chicago Police Memorial made a $10,000.00 contribution to Officer Francis' family to assist with their immediate expenses the day he was killed.
You really need to learn the facts before you make such misguided comments.
that fund is flushed with cash. big deal he collected 3 times that amount in one month from officers paychecks. Cline created this fund for self serving purpose that would be additional income for himself and other CPD members (FRIENDS) FAT RAT
$10,000- they take that in twice a month. Where is all the money? 5 dollars a month - 5000 at least donors. What a scam.
But that's only 1 Family! Please believe me when I say that The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation has done more for Chicago Police Families (both deceased and disabled) than ANY other organization out there.
I just pray your family never has to find out just how much they really do help.
Stay Safe.
But that's only 1 Family! Please believe me when I say that The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation has done more for Chicago Police Families (both deceased and disabled) than ANY other organization out there.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
There are over 400 disabled officers. Only a few chosen have been helped by the fund, that is a fact. Many have been turned down when they have asked for help from the fund. The fund works like the city, it's who you know, don't kid yourself. If you were lucky enough to get help from the fund great. But there are many that have not been helped who needed it.
There are too many unanswered questions when it comes to that fund. Isn't it funny that no one will say how much Mr. Cline is getting paid, that is, if he is getting paid?
But that's only 1 Family! Please believe me when I say that The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation has done more for Chicago Police Families (both deceased and disabled) than ANY other organization out there.
Bull! they pick and choose who they help. Small amount spent for disabled with juice, yet large paychecks . no one is a volunteer.
TRUST ME. MRS CLINE
Certainly, it's a huge deal and a tremendous worry.
We don't work in a really dangerous job like coal miners and meat packers, but we do face danger every day..
I just think it's worth putting things in perspective when we go feeling too sorry for ourselves. We can honor Francis's sacrifice without pretending we're the only ones in the world who face these kind of things.
Bull! they pick and choose who they help. Small amount spent for disabled with juice, yet large paychecks . no one is a volunteer.
TRUST ME. MRS CLINE
Please name one organization that has done more for survivors and catastrophically injured police officers in Chicago.
Please name one organization that has done more for survivors and catastrophically injured police officers in Chicago.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please tell me how many catastrophic injured officers there are? I'm guessing 6?? OK lets go high 10. The fund has collect, about 30G a month, 360,000 a yr just from working coppers. Are you trying to say 10 catastrophic officers are actually getting this money? Are they even getting a 10,000 year? I think not. The memorial is built so where is all the money going? it's a reasonable question.
not MRS. CLINE
Ok, whoever is defending the Memorial Fund- how come they will not release who is paid what? Just answer that. Who is paid and how much for their services? They never will. You know why and so do most of those that post.
Unfortunately, that response still doesn't answer my question-
Please name one organization that has done more for survivors and catastrophically injured police officers in Chicago.
You can't because there isn't one.
My concern isn't with what their salaries may or may not be but with what they do for both survivors and injured officers.
"My concern isn't with what their salaries may or may not be but with what they do for both survivors and injured officers.
7/14/2008 10:24:00 PM"
Of course your concern isn't with what they are paid.
You're one of them.
And with the amount of money in that fund and consistently going into that fund, it should be doing the most because it has the ability to do the most.
And, apparently, has the ability to do so while lining the pockets of a chosen few.
What the fuck makes those who manage the fund worth the money they're paid?
And why won't they open the books?
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