Ten Years
Ten years ago tonight, Michael Ceriale succumbed to his wounds from a shooting five days previously. We remember well the lines and lines of coppers outside the hospital donating blood, meeting with the family, standing vigil until late that afternoon when the radio crackled with the bad news.
Hopefully, he continues to watch over everyone here.
Hopefully, he continues to watch over everyone here.
Labels: officer down
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
55 Comments:
Mike is guarding the gates with Saint Michael. May his family know, he is still remembered and prayed for.
Michael Ceriale fought the good fight, we all thought he might make it. I think knowing that he was fighting like hell to live really tore everybody up even more,knowing that we could do nothing to help a brother.
R.I.P. Brother Ceriale, you are most certaintly fondly remembered.
I think of Mike often. He and I were in the same academy class, 97-2. I can't say that we were close. We shared a few laughs in the academy, and a few more during a stint in loop traffic. He was a good guy, with hopes and dreams not unlike my own. Which is why I think of him often. This job has afforded me some decent opportunities. And though I have 11 years on, and am tired of the B.S. that comes with this job and this City, I can't help but think of how unfair life, and life as cop can be CRUEL and UNFAIR. I'm fortunate to be here, still on the job, bitching the whole way, but I'm here and sadly Mike is not.
Mike, your memory lives on forever. Rest in peace.
GG
A couple of weeks ago, they held the tenth annual Michael Ceriale Memorial softball tournament at Hamlin Park on the city's Northside. A great tradition to keep the memory alive of one of our fallen. Hard to believe it's been 10 years. It's still sad to this day. Never forget.
Wow, time flies doesn't it?
May God continue to keep you and yours. You are still missed after all these years Mike.
Thank you for remembering.
i'll never forget the all call switching from "wanted for the attempt murder to wanted for the murder of Officer Michael Ceriale" 4101,4011, and 4066 became my crusade, they can run but they can't hide.
God Bless you, Michael. And while you're at it, give a shout-out to Brian Strouse. Just two of many that are sorely missed, but NEVER forgotten. We'll meet again, boys. Someday. Save me a seat.
Rest In Peace
My Brother
Albanian /Italian...Copper...Thru and Thru.
We Miss You Mike!!!
God Bless You Mike,
You were a great guy and are still missed by your brothers and sisters in CPD. You will never be forgotten.
B.F. 97-2B
Cant believe its been 10 yrs, The wake also had lines and lines............missed and never ever forgotten!!!!!
To all our departed Brothers and Sisters in Blue ... Rest in Peace, you are still in our hearts and thoughts.
God Bless the Ceriale family. Mike will never be forgotten. I worked with Mike in the Deuce and can honestly say that he did more real police work in his short time there and in 013, than the entire current command staff. God needed somebody solid to watch his back so Mike is serving and protecting beyond the pearly gates.
God Bless Michael Ceriale and his family. Mike, you will always be remembered for your friendship, sense of humor and the ultimate sacrifice you made for the Chicago Police Department.
Ten years later, the memories of the early morning call that Mike had been shot, the race to Cook County and the days that followed have not faded. Nor will the commitment of the Officer Michael A. Ceriale Memorial Foundation to ensure his service to the City is remembered.
That is why we sponsored the "Courage" node at the Police Memorial Park, funded a scholarship at his high school, Gordon Tech, and continue to seek ways to remember his sacrifice in the neighborhood in which he was raised.
Please take a moment today to remember Mike, his family and friends. Also reflect on the way his shooting, brave fight for life and subsequent death galvanized and united the City in support of both Mike and the CPD.
To this day, if people do not immediately remember his name, they certainly remember his valiant struggle for life and senseless death.
They also remember that shaken, yet proud, members of the Chicago Police Department lined up to donate blood, stood vigil outside of the hospital, turned out in record numbers for his wake and funeral -- in oppressing heat -- and finally joined as one and attended the trial of his assassins and their sentencing. And when the defense falsely cried "intimidation" by uniformed members of the Chicago Police Department, you stood strong.
Stand strong now. Do not let recent events dishearten you. Continue to make Mike proud to have served with you and to have died serving with you.
Star 17429
Born
21 January 1972
Appointed to CPD
5 May 1997
Died in the line of duty
21 August 1998
NEVER FORGET
OFFICERS WHO MADE ARREST IN CERIALE CASE ARE HONORED
26 August 1999
Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO SPORTS FINAL; N
Police Supt. Terry Hillard and other top officials honored more than 90 officers at the Police Department's monthly commendation awards ceremony...
Among those honored Wednesday were Patrol Officer Wayne A. Wiberg and others who took part in the arrest of Robert "Big Rob" Brandt, one of the suspects charged in the murder of Wentworth Area Patrol Officer Michael Ceriale last August.
The other honorees gave those officers a standing ovation as they rose to accept their commendations.
Ten years later, and the questions have yet to be answered...
ANSWERS, PLEASE, FOR MICHAEL CERIALE
20 August 1999
Chicago Tribune
The flow of news coursing through the city room of a large newspaper is so relentless that, no matter how big a story, there is rarely enough time, staff or space in the paper to publish every detail.
Sometimes, though, a story cuts so close to the heart of a city that it's worth going back and doing just that.
The shooting death a year ago of Chicago police officer Michael Ceriale was such a case. At one level the killing was just another of the senseless tragedies that seem now to punctuate American life. On another level, the circumstances leading up to the shooting and the emotions boiling in its wake raise questions that need to be answered by this city, its police force and, in the end, its people.
"Partners in Peril," a four-part narrative by Tribune reporter Robert L. Kaiser that began last Sunday, provided readers with a trove of vivid facts but left them free to ask their own questions. Here are ours:
- What was the wisdom, if any, of allowing 26-year-old partners less than a year out of the Police Academy to operate independently-- at night, in plain clothes and in an unmarked car--trying for narcotics busts on some of the most lethal gang turf in the city?
- What kind of staffing system (or union contract) allows cops with the most seniority, and hence, experience, to claim the quietest shifts in the quietest police districts, leaving the more difficult areas of the city to be patrolled, in the main, by rookies such as Ceriale and his surviving partner, Joe Ferenzi?
- What kind of society makes it possible for a 16-year-old gang member to be armed with a .357 Magnum capable, at long range, of so damaging a large man's abdomen that six days of hospital intensive care could not save his life?
- What kind of state and federal gun laws, or lack thereof, allow such a weapon to be purchased at a suburban gun shop, allegedly by a "straw" buyer doing the bidding of gangsters whose criminal records make it illegal for them to acquire such weapons?
- What would they say, those who complain Ceriale and Ferenzi were looking for trouble, to the decent people trying to raise families in that CHA high-rise turned into a drug depot by the Gangster Disciples?
Tough questions. Finding answers is one of the best ways to honor the memory of Michael Ceriale.
***
Rest in Peace, my friend.
Who's the stroke posting the Tribune articles to glamorize their arrest and gun control? This post is about Mike Ceriale, not you asshat.
I still vividly recall the all call message that Superintendent Terry G. Hillard put out tragically announcing the death of Mike, he conveyed strong emotion in his voice and I remember how bummed out everybody was after it aired.
The good die young.
RIP Mike! And every other officer that was killed for this unappreciative and corrupt city!
I never met Mike but I will NEVER forget hime or what Happened.
So sad. Rest In Peace, brother.
R.I.P. our brother in blue.
Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy.
F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896 - 1940)
I will never forget being a PPO and being detailed to his bedside inside County hospital. It was a rude awakening to the job I had just taken, but also amazing to see people who I now worked with who all stood in line to say a prayer over Michael as he lay in intensive care. That is one tour of duty I will never forget.
Still very sorry for Mike and his family, but the fact remains, the powers to be, his bosses, used him, enticed him with the wearing of blue-jeans, civilian clothes, and an unmarked car, to go out and get some heads [arrests] to help make his bosses at the time look good. Their deception, arrogance, lack of sound judgement, and desire to feather their own beds, cost a far too young and too inexperienced officer his life. Any supervisor with integrity would never have done this, as he or she would have immediately thought about his young officers lack of experience, and that he would be setting out a lamb in a den of wolves, and never condoned anything as senseless and egotistical. Hopefully, this tragic mistake in judgement by Supervisors will never happen again, anywhere in Law Enforcement.
R.I.P. Michael
An old Vet who still cares....
I remember standing with hundreds of Coppers across the street, praying for him as he laid in a hospital bed wounded with doctors wanting to take more from him in desperate hope that he will come out of it.
His funeral in Ukranian Village was the hottest day of the year, so bad in fact that attendees were toldto wear short sleeves. I had 4 years on the job then. It seems like yesterday. The District personnel searched for each other so that we could stand together. I remember the midnight crew, exhausted from the night's work before, but still standing in formation. All the funerals are unique and you remember them fully.
Ceriale, Rest in Peace
it's been 10 yrs?? RIP michael. i remember soon after his death, the dept decided that NO ONE with under 3yrs on the job can work c/d. not long after that officers with 1 1/2yrs + 1 day are working c/d, tru, sat teams etc. how soon we forget........
Michael Ceriale has been and forever will be a hero to me and all on the Chicago Police Department. Mike and all the others who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this thankless job every day go unnoticed to the general public. I most often pray for all of them and their families as should we all. That morning Mike and his partner went to work to get the bad guys and in one tragic moment the bad guy got him. Though this BLOG didn’t have to remind me of the date Mike was taken from us I do appreciate the mention so others can reflect. The next time you get in you squad car and you and your partner whine and bitch about how much this job sucks, take a moment say a small prayer for Mike and all the rest that were taken from us on this thankless job. Then you can go back to planning how little you will do for the rest of the day. Remember, The bad guy you drive past and don’t give a second look at because of your disgruntled attitude maybe the guy that ends the life of the next Police Officer.
Former Englewood Ranger
Ten years ago today my life changed forever. My best fiend died. Michael Ceriale. Cousins by birth, brothers by life. Those who knew him loved his presense, his wit, his smile and his heart. A true Chicago kid, he loved his family, sports, ladies:) and he especially loved being a cop. We decided when we were little kids that he was going to be a cop and I a fireman. First Ceriale's to do so. I was so proud of him when I saw him graduate in May '97. This day,10 yrs ago,a part of my heart left this world with Michael. I will never be the same nor do I want to. I will miss him until I get to meet up with him again so we can get that beer we were supposed to have that weekend. Take a moment today to remember Mike. What he stood for. What he lived for-life. Cherish what you DO have and the people that are in your life. To the CPD, you stood with and supported this fammily through the toughest moments of our lives. I am forever grateful to have been involved with the greatest Police Department on this planet. People who are not a part of it just don't get it. If it matters, The Ceriale family loves you and respects all of you for going out each day to do your job. Thank you. To Mike, You will be on my mind a lot more today than usual. Know that each time I get on that rig, I have you by my side. I hope you are proud of me that I did keep our promise- I am a Firefighter. Gonna go out tonight to have a couple of beers for you. I will do what you expected me to do-live. I am so honored to carry The Ceriale name forever. If you shed a tear today, think about him and have a laugh, too. He was a clown! Take care my brother. You are remembered today by many. I guess it must be busy up in heaven. God needed one of the best to help him out. Love you forever. Say Hi to my dad for me.
Lt. Mike Byrne never forgave himself for letting someone with so little time on the job to work an incident car that evening.
Mike had his faults (lots of them) but he always took care of all of us.
97-2 still remembers you and misses you
All of our issues and problems with this department aside, from J-Fed all the way down to law suits and dealing with the "rev-runs", we should all remember what's important: That guys like Mike gave the ultimate sacrafice. We'll keep him in our prayers here at our home. For as much as we bitch, me included, I'll bet Mike would give anything to be with us on the job right now.
Mike, watch over us.
Albanian /Italian...Copper...Thru and Thru.
We Miss You Mike!!!
8/21/2008 01:08:00 AM
Mike was Ukranian/ Italian, but yes a true copper thru and thru. God bless you Mike and thank you for watching over us. You were a hero then you are a hero now.
Tough questions. Finding answers is one of the best ways to honor the memory of Michael Ceriale.
***
Rest in Peace, my friend.
8/21/2008 04:40:00 AM
AMEN Brother!!! Ten years and no answers with the same shit going on.
Seems like yesterday. God Bless his family and Michael.
From now until the end of the world, we and it shall be remembered. We few, we Band of Brothers. For he who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother" W.S.
Just wondering if they still hold that vigil outside of 13. Ive usually been out of town on furlough but not this year. Does anyone know. Thanks. And by the way, how come you never see any fliers advertising the softball game in honor of Mike. We need to do a better job of that.
great softball tournament to remember mike.....every year it makes me proud to see people come together to remember a fallen P.O. Anyone that has ever worked in the projects knows the types of danger that can and will strike out @ you from time to time. From the "residents" throwing shit out of highrise windows to the gang members' ruining an entire bldg to making themselves "ghetto legends." It really took some courage to do police work in and around these bldgs. RIP mike.......you did more in less than 2 yrs on the job than most cops do in 30.........god bless ur family and hopefully we can make that softball tournament 5,000 people strong next year......take care and be safe.
-former pub. housing officer
p.s. tito, wears my shirt???
My thoughts are with all of your loved ones today. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol guarding over the Thin Blue Line. Everyone who reads this should go to the ODMP.org site (Officer Down) and leave a reflection for his loved ones to show you care. 18,000 other officers are listed there who gave their all. Everyone Be Safe.
Bob Gordon, father of CPD Officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/-4
Can't believe it was ten years ago. I did not know him personally but went to the funeral. I went with a few other P/O s. The most memorable funeral in my lifetime. Police lining the streets standing at attention saluting the prcession. Police and fire of every suburb lining the street on the way to cemetary was it very moving. I will never forget. Rest in Peace Brother!!
Joey Ceriale Evanston FD said...
-------------
Joey, my heart is crying tears for you...I'm bawling my eyes out after reading your post. We will NEVER forget. Bless you and your family. Stay strong.
Where was he hit?Was he wearing his body armour?
Who's the stroke posting the Tribune articles to glamorize their arrest and gun control? This post is about Mike Ceriale, not you asshat.
I still vividly recall the all call message that Superintendent Terry G. Hillard put out tragically announcing the death of Mike, he conveyed strong emotion in his voice and I remember how bummed out everybody was after it aired.
The good die young.
8/21/2008 06:39:00 AM
I am not an asshat, a stroke, a cop or a gun control proponent, but a longtime friend of Mike's who still wants answers to those tough questions.
But, thanks so much for making a horrid day a bit worse.
May Mike forever be remembered for the the brave man and kind soul that he was.
God Bless Mike.
Anonymous said...
Where was he hit?Was he wearing his body armour?
8/21/2008
--------------------------
---YES HE WAS HE GOT HIT RIGHT BELOW THE VEST
Mike did lose the good fight, but let's not forget his partner that night who also has to try and rationalize the insanity. Mike, GOD bless and keep a watchful eye over us. Joe, you take care buddy, keep up the good work.
Murph
Mike, I will never forget you! I think of you often and know that you are watching over me and the rest of the crew! I cannot beleive that it has been ten years. Mike RIP my friend, You will never be forgotten. Till we meet again.
Mike Byrne is not to blame, it was the asshole who pulled the trigger, remember that!
It's funny how I think about you all the time. Some great laughs were had and some good stalking opportunities wasted. I think of all the power and will that was in your heart. Then I think of that little up that popsicle motherf!!!. Your memory will never die it stays in my soul.
K.K. 97-2B Bravo Blue!!!!!!!!!
Reading about this murder makes me all pissed off again. I remember the morning of the funeral I was assigned a post outside his families house on Marion Ct. I thought the
FOP or City would provide a vehicle to drive this family. I saw them come out of the house and hung my head in shame. They drove away in their personal cars. God bless his soul. Never forgetten!
while we on the subject.. let us never forget Chicago Police Officer Jose M Torres #13988 who on the same date, August 21, 1979 succomb to his injuries sustained when he was struck by a drunk driver...
Rest in Eternal Peace my brothers.. as long as us blue shirts walk the earth, your legacy lives on and you will never be forgotten.
To mike and all those before and since..Rest in Peace, for certain you're in Heaven....
My prayers to the Ceriale family.
Five Feet
I often stop and say a pray for Mike on Root street. It would be nice to have a memorial marker there. I would be happy to donate to the cause. God Bless my brother I know you watch over us.
Oh my, it's been 10 years? I went to the candlelight vigil for P.O. Ceriale, funeral too, even though I was on a different department back then. Such a young man, it still breaks my heart.
I called the 13th district today and got the commanders office. I asked the female who answered if they still hold a vigil for Mike outside 13. Her response? "Mike who?" I almost fell off my chair. Of course she didnt know shit about what I was talking about. Then she said she would ask the desk. Apparently they didnt know anything either. What the hell has become of this department? Where is the frigging solidarity?
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