No Wake; Memorial Service Only
A memorial service for slain Chicago Police Officer Thor Soderberg has been set for Thursday, although a location has not yet been settled on, the Police Department said today.
[...] Soderberg's family will hold private services for Soderberg; a separate memorial service for Soderberg will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m., although a location for the memorial has not been determined, according to a statement issued by police this afternoon.
J-Fled sent out an e-mail confirming this late Saturday.
Prayers for Mrs. Soderberg during this most difficult time.
Prayers for Mrs. Soderberg during this most difficult time.
Labels: officer down
posted by SCC at 12:05 AM
61 Comments:
I didn't know the officer, but was anyone else insulted that J-Fled refers him as "Thor" in that email as though he was writing to his friends about his friend. It struck me as inappropriate and disrespectful.
It really is too bad that he doesn't have a handler who can explain these things to him -- or at least that none of his handlers has a clue.
God forbid that I (or any of us) be killed in the line of duty. However, I would not want Daley or J-Fled at my funeral with their crocodile tears.
SCC,I think you should consider closing this post to comments. The family should not have to read comments from others, this is their decision. That being said this is how I feel. We all need the opportunity to pay our respects,to mourn a hero,to say goodbye. We,as the police,I think, need the ceremony,need the bagpipes,need the closure. But not only did Thor make the ultimate sacrifice, so did his family. Our families sacrifice so much for us,their wishes should be respected.
Chicago city ordinance REQUIRES that a rememberance be held at City Hall. If I were the family, I would demand it, just so everyone sees the Hall surrounded by the police.
2-84-440 Memorial services.
Upon loss of life in the line of duty of any police officer, a memorial service shall be held outside the main entrance (LaSalle Street) of City Hall in which participants shall be the mayor, the commissioner of police, and the alderman or aldermen representing the ward(s) in which said officer lived and/or worked.
During such memorial, the official City of Chicago flag shall be flown at half-mast, and the name of the police officer shall be read while Taps are played. Immediately thereafter, said flag shall be lowered and given to the local station where said police officer was assigned, and then presented to the survivors of said police officer as a tribute. In the event of inclement weather the ceremony may be held in the lobby of City Hall.
(Prior code § 11-4; Added Coun. J. 3-25-86, p. 28874)
http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Illinois/chicago_il/municipalcodeofchicago?f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:chicago_il
Good for you, Mrs. Soderberg.
God Bless her. She is doing what is proper for her and Thor......... May he rest in peace. May she find solace in this horrible time of grief. May God find peace for the whole family.
I can only imagine what his wife and family are going through. My heart aches... As a police officer, I understand Mrs. Soderberg why you want to have a private service. May your husband rest in peace, and may you find peace yourself while you wait to join your husband once again in the next life. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
If you are a family friend of the Soderbergs, please forward this information.
I will gladly make them a memorial video, a celebration of Thor's life for the memorial celebration.
I have screens from
4' to 12' in size as well as the projectors and sound system needed to make the presentation if they would like. This is my gift to them. Family takes care of each other.
Let the family know I am a Police Officer and I have made videos for several Gold Star Families.
Musical Memories In Motion
www.mmim.biz 773 484 8871
They can view the videos by clicking the links below.
Sgt Haymaker
http://www.photodex.com/share/mayorg/66a78mg4
Officer Wortham
http://www.photodex.com/share/mayorg/w6dp8mg4
Michael Vins Memorial
http://www.photodex.com/share/mayorg/xdpc8mg4
They can also view more than 75 videos here
http://www.photodex.com/share/mayorg
We remember our fallen in our own hearts. Please respect the family's desires.
Chicago city ordinance REQUIRES that a rememberance be held at City Hall. If I were the family, I would demand it, just so everyone sees the Hall surrounded by the police>
For right now, please shut up, and let a family handle the grief their own way. We should be here just to support them, not make decissions for them.
I understand what Mrs. Soderberg is going through, I was shot in the line of duty and my wife got that call that every spouse of a police officer dreads. My wounds were not life threatening but for an hour or so, she had no idea as to my condition. To this day it brings up strong emotions and I feel a sense of guilt for it. My wife even said in the last few days that she is glad she never had to make those decisions.
Mrs. Soderberg and her family are entitled to mourn in anyway they see fit. We can remember Thor in the dedication to his profession and the knowledge that he passed on to new Police Officers. Find a special place inside your heart and keep Thor's memory alive. God Bless and God Speed.
Please remember his mother and father, blood sisters and brothers and his wife who he chose to live his life with. I cannot imagine a parent having to see the face of their child with no life. No matter how old or young, that is a pain no one should ever have to bare, especially when a senseless act was the cause.
Be careful my sisters and brothers in blue.
I didn't know the officer, but was anyone else insulted that J-Fled refers him as "Thor" in that email as though he was writing to his friends about his friend. It struck me as inappropriate and disrespectful.
It really is too bad that he doesn't have a handler who can explain these things to him -- or at least that none of his handlers has a clue.
Hell yeah !
I respect the family and their right to have a private ceremony. No dog & pony show from politicians & brass that never knew Thor or the job of a blue shirt. Utmost respect is given!
The family wants NOTHING to do with politics.
Anonymous said...
I didn't know the officer, but was anyone else insulted that J-Fled refers him as "Thor" in that email as though he was writing to his friends about his friend. It struck me as inappropriate and disrespectful.
It really is too bad that he doesn't have a handler who can explain these things to him -- or at least that none of his handlers has a clue.
7/11/2010 12:20:00 AM
Yes, it was very inappropriate and disrespectful of J-FLED to refer to the deceased Police Officer by his first name only, but J-FLED is is totally clueless about our culture and about para-military organizations, but it did not have to be this way.
Before his first day with the CPD, a number of retired exempts offered to guide the one now known across the world as J-FLED, not so much for him, but for the good of the department, and all were refused. Jody believed he knew better. Now, 2 1/2 years later, how's that working for him? Ha, what a dope!
Really MASTERS, MASTERS, MASTERS, really? Texting and laughing while a Fallen Brother was brought to the M.E.'s Office. Why weren't you saluting like the rest of us? You claim to be the police. Even as an administrator (what you really are), why wouldn't you salute? Have you no respect for yourself, the deceased, our department? You showed your true colors. You are the worst of the worst for behaving in such a fashion. There is no excuse. Harvard educated and no common sense. May God have mercy upon your two-faced soul.
012 Dist. Copper
Thor's wife is just honoring Thor's wishes. He told his wife he didn't want any extra attention after Tom Wortham's funeral. He was a very private man who didn't want to be the center of attention and he didn't want his family to have to be the center of attention in their time of grief. I for one find this to be just one more reason to respect this great man. Selfless to the end. We will honor him in the way he wanted. God Bless his wife and family
7/11/2010 07:34:00 AM
Thanks for what you do, that is great work and makes many teary eyed!
i do not blame the family. this job has changed so much within the past 15 years. :-(
There may be other reasons why the service is private and the family doesn't want anything to do with the Department which I will not mention on this post.
God Bless Thor and his family.
NPR "Honoring An Officer's Life, Artfully Lived"
To 12:20 AM. You are not the only one that is insulted. Even if J-Fled knew him personally, he should still address him by title for two reasons: #1: It is the correct an peoper thing to do. #2: Because, J-Fled, you are a coward, a back stabbing j--off and YOU have never EARNED the right to wear our uniform or to be addressed as a Chicago Police Officer. Officer Soderberg EARNED that right, so show your respect and address him by his title. And then RESIGN!
A star, A bar and a white shirt, and I earned it!
How wonderful that she made her own choice. God bless her at this most difficult time. She already in this short time showed us God's grace in all of this.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
I didn't know the officer, but was anyone else insulted that J-Fled refers him as "Thor" in that email as though he was writing to his friends about his friend. It struck me as inappropriate and disrespectful.
It really is too bad that he doesn't have a handler who can explain these things to him -- or at least that none of his handlers has a clue.
7/11/2010 12:20:00 AM
What are you doing? C'mon..let it go dude, that is NOT whats important here. If you are truly insulted then you are dense. Whats important is that right now, Weis is the Superintendent of Police. Any prior Supt. did the same thing and probably didn't know many of the Officers Killed in LOD. It happened under his command so it might not be appropriate in some peoples eyes, but it is what it is. Let this trivial shit go. If that all you have to worry about in this day and age then you are luckier than the rest of us. Give it a rest.
Mrs. Soderberg, I can understand you wanting the service private. Just know you and the family are in our thoughts and prayers. No matter what every member of the Chicago Police will be there for you anytime you need us. May Officer Soderberg Rest in Peace and he will welcomed with open arms in Heaven.
Musical Memories In Motion
www.mmim.biz 773 484 8871
http://www.photodex.com/share/mayorg
7/11/2010 07:34:00 AM
After viewing your tributes to Sgt. Haymaker and Officer Wortham I cried yet again this year. Please keep up your phenominal work as your tributes keep these officers spirits alive and still with us. Thank you for the hard work you put into your work.
Anonymous said...
God forbid that I (or any of us) be killed in the line of duty. However, I would not want Daley or J-Fled at my funeral with their crocodile tears.
7/11/2010 12:26:00 AM
I would not want them allowed entrance. And anyone with a white shirt would stand in the back, if there was room, otherwise, outside.
I didn't know the officer, but was anyone else insulted that J-Fled refers him as "Thor" in that email as though he was writing to his friends about his friend. It struck me as inappropriate and disrespectful.
*****************
YES and so were many I spoke to about this... it really got me angry...
At least we won't have to listen to the head of the Daley Crime Family reading poorly from a prepared script and mispronouncing the deceased HERO's name at the funeral.
Good for you, Mrs. Soderberg!
This family understand that if you have a love one who has been in your life you keep it private not everyone knew this officer and therefore only the ones who knew him should be there for his wife good for her it a family thing not a circus for the mayor and the supt j fled to speak about a man who they never seen only when heard of his death and then to speak without knowing him shame on you and that includes fop president who is so up the mayor azz its sad .
To musical memories in motion, Video Services already does this for the famalies as long as they get the green light.
1135 AM.........
WELL SAID!!!
Respect this mans wishes and just pray for the family and his blessed wife. Honor him as if you did have a funeral, just respect his wishes.... Now leave it alone!!!
God Bless this deceased PO and his family. I commend the Soderberg family for doing the right thing for their family and their needs, and not bowing to political pressure.
I hope that the Lord provides for all of your needs in this trying time.
to Officer Soderberg's Wife:
Your message is simple, heroic and inspirational.
God Bless You.
I am glad that Mrs. Soderberg is honoring her husband's final wishes. A full honors funeral would be nothing but a dog & pony show for mayor McCheese, J-Fled, Masters, Peterson, etc.
There was a time when I expressed to my family that I wanted a full honors funeral, if I should die in the line of duty. But, until the current regime is gone, they are under strict orders that under no circumstances are Weiss, Master or Daley to be allowed anywhere near any type of service for me!
If you want to honor him, make a contribution to the memorial fund and/or attend the memorial.
God's Speed, P.O Soderberg.
Anonymous said...
God forbid that I (or any of us) be killed in the line of duty. However, I would not want Daley or J-Fled at my funeral with their crocodile tears.
7/11/2010 12:26:00 AM
I know many, if not most of us feel the same, but the problem is, God forbid, that the brass and Mayor want to put on their usual phoney show for the press and say the same cookie cutter boiler plate speaches, acting like they really care. It wont matter what we tell our spouses they will put on their "best of show" and hope to move up the ladder. Even though many brass never knew the fallen officers they still walk in and sit in the front row while the friends and family fill the rear. Last funeral all the P.O's that knew and worked with the officer stood outside in the cold while the brass that never knew him went inside. Alderman "the jerk" Burke always sits in front no matter how little he knew about any fallen officer. Everyone knows that the politicians hate us, so why do they fake it every time? F-U!!!!!
Anonymous said....................
There is no excuse. Harvard educated and no common sense. May God have mercy upon your two-faced soul.
It should come as no surprise. After all isn't it mr harvard educated commander in chief, Barack Hussein Obama that refuses to put his hand on his heart during the National Anthem? Book smart-maybe, no class-definitely!
After the White Sox game today, Ozzie wore a CPD ball cap to the post game interview. I felt that was a nice gesture for the CPD, thanks Ozzie.
Reply to:
Really MASTERS, MASTERS, MASTERS, really? Texting and laughing while a Fallen Brother was brought to the M.E.'s Office. Why weren't you saluting like the rest of us? You claim to be the police. Even as an administrator (what you really are), why wouldn't you salute? Have you no respect for yourself, the deceased, our department? You showed your true colors. You are the worst of the worst for behaving in such a fashion. There is no excuse. Harvard educated and no common sense. May God have mercy upon your two-faced soul.
012 Dist. Copper
7/11/2010 11:04:00 AM
________________________________________
I saw this too. We were already called to attention while CFD was removing Officer Soderberg from the ambulance, when this knucklehead decided he needed to send out a couple more text messages, ya know... cause there was something else more important to do at that exact fucking moment. I didn't know who this guy was before, but now I do. I won't forget this either.
February 2011
jfled will never catch on, he is not one of us. Never was. Never will be. Same with masters masters, o'keefe and brust, and the rest of the bastard alien invaders at 35th st.
this is SO telling.
To musical memories in motion, Video Services already does this for the famalies as long as they get the green light
I thought video services was closed. This is my own business. I do it from the heart, whats your reason.
After viewing your tributes to Sgt. Haymaker and Officer Wortham I cried yet again this year. Please keep up your phenominal work as your tributes keep these officers spirits alive and still with us. Thank you for the hard work you put into your work.
Thank You! I do it because its the right thing to do!
To musical memories in motion, Video Services already does this for the famalies as long as they get the green light.
By the way...you know who I am, who are you?
Anonymous said...
To musical memories in motion, Video Services already does this for the famalies as long as they get the green light.
7/11/2010 09:48:00 PM
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Where you been?
Video Services Unit was disbanded last period.
To Greg,*
(Musical Memories In Motion)
Thanks for the work you do on behalf of our CPD hero's.
I suggest that fellow viewers of this blog scroll up and view some of the videos made by this down to earth copper.
*Cheez, I hope I'm not taken to task for calling you by your first name!
And as far as the Departments Video Services Unit is concerned... YES! They do super work. They also go to Washington DC and capture the National memorial as well. Another example of 'Chicago's Finest.'
So, what did the department do to this 2-3 person unit?
They disbanded it and sent them back to districts. Boy, that will really impact the shortage of our people working 10-99.
Again, just like throwing a deck chair off the Titanic to lighten the load.
Stay Safe out there my brothers.
Just sayin'
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2488780,march-honors-slain-cop-soderberg-071210.article
Wish I would have known about this so I could have been there.
I also received the email about honoring P.O. Valadez by naming a street after him after the fact.
I's none of my or our business but for what it's worth I am perfectly ok with it. It's her choice. I don't need to know any of the why's. God bless her, Thor and all of their loved ones.
I applaud the families decision. Too many times I have had to stand there and keep my comments to myself, regarding those who shouldn't be allowed to stand there with the family and pretend they care, out of respect for the fallen officer.
To the family I salute you.
No amount of pomp and circumstance can ever fill the void of your loss.
just a drummer with a band.
I have told my family in the God forsaken event I am killed doing my job that I DO NOT WANT DALEY OR WEIS at the ceremony PERIOD! If that means the city will not pay and I cant have the honors funeral then so be it. I will ask that my family pass on my reasoning to the media and handle it that way. I hope to God my wife never has to make that decision and I hope to GOD even more I never have to make that for her as she too is an officer. I respect his familys decision to mourn however they so choose. We should all support them and keep them in our prayers. We can all attend the memorial and show our respect in that way!! God Bless and stay safe
I think we were all a little surprised at the news that there would be no honors funreal, just because we are not used to it. But I have heard nothing but statements of support and understanding from everyone. I hope Officer Soderberg's family knows that we all understand their decision and that they must choose to deal with this unimaginable situation in whatever way they feel is appropriate for them. We will each find our own way to grieve.
God Bless Officer Soderberg and may God watch over his entire family.
To 7/12/2010 08:17:00 AM
I'm nobody special....anybody can call me by my first name...lol You should hear what my partners call me!!
The sad thing is...all a smart boss had to do was scoop me up for my last 5 years. I dont want to be a boss or in charge. I love photography and really enjoy making the videos. But I was told I was to much of a threat. Unfortunately the 10 or so I have made for the Memorial/ Gold Star Families have only brought me grief, heartburn, high blood pressure and total aggrivation. None on the part of the Memorial Foundation or families...just crap like this stuff we have read on here. Its really sad how ego's and what not totally have destroyed us from within.
5 more years and I am self employed. Be Safe
Update SCC,
A visitation and memorial service have been scheduled for Thor Soderberg, the Chicago police officer killed last week after he got off duty in Englewood, police said today.
Soderberg was shot to death in the parking lot of a police facility in Englewood Wednesday afternoon. Bryant Brewer, 24, who a witness said had been trying to get into the police facility moments before, is accused of grabbing Soderberg's gun and fatally shooting him, then firing on another man at a home nearby before being shot by other police officers.
The visitation is scheduled for Tuesday from 3 to 8 p.m. at Malec and Sons Funeral Home, 6000 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The memorial service is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. at the University of Chicago's Rockefeller Memorial Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave.
The visitation will be open to all police, while the memorial is also open to the public.
They do super work. They also go to Washington DC and capture the National memorial as well. Another example of 'Chicago's Finest.'
So, what did the department do to this 2-3 person unit?
They disbanded it and sent them back to districts. Boy, that will really impact the shortage of our people working 10-99.
Again, just like throwing a deck chair off the Titanic to lighten the load.
Stay Safe out there my brothers.
Just sayin'
7/12/2010 08:17:00 AM
Three officers sent back to the districts. Their special talents to operate specialized equipment gone. That was a brilliant move. Now there is no one to take any videos of special events. This will bite them in the ass. The lack of leadership is soooo apparent.
I know all of the sworn and civilian members of the former Video Services unit. one of its members has been videotaping police funerals since 1981,another member since 1991. This disbanding of the unit is a insult to their professionalism and dedication to the police department. The sworn members that went to Washington even made a arrest at the White House gate. Typical city government,lets just eliminate these units and see what happens. Lets eliminate the mayor and supt. and see what happens- the city would run much better.
This disbanding of the unit is a insult to their professionalism and dedication to the police department
****
Evidently the $10,000.00 per video (at least that was the price a few years ago) P.K productions will now be the go to point for ALL department video... City taxpayers RIPPED OFF again.
I applaud the families decision. Too many times I have had to stand there and keep my comments to myself, regarding those who shouldn't be allowed to stand there with the family and pretend they care, out of respect for the fallen officer.
****
I wholeheartedly agree. There are plenty of "ceremonies" where the "officials" can recognize him. There WILL be one at CITY COUNCIL/CITY HALL at one of the next or at a special meeting, there will be the next Annual Awards Banquet, the Springfield and the DC Memorial... plenty of pomp and circumstance at those venues... it is much better to have those who ACTUALLY KNOW him, and/or ACTUALLY FEEL HIS AND HIS FAMILY's PAIN attend a funeral/wake service than a bunch of scrambled egg hatted people who are only there for a command performance. Most of the ones in this department now wearing eggs and stars aren't connected to ANYONE working the street and never have been...
They do super work. They also go to Washington DC and capture the National memorial as well. Another example of 'Chicago's Finest.'
So, what did the department do to this 2-3 person unit?
They disbanded it and sent them back to districts. Boy, that will really impact the shortage of our people working 10-99.
Again, just like throwing a deck chair off the Titanic to lighten the load.
Stay Safe out there my brothers.
Just sayin'
7/12/2010 08:17:00 AM
Three officers sent back to the districts. Their special talents to operate specialized equipment gone. That was a brilliant move. Now there is no one to take any videos of special events. This will bite them in the ass. The lack of leadership is soooo apparent.
7/12/2010 06:42:00 PM
SPARE US YOUR BULLSHIT!
I’m willing to bet that you were one of the first that cried “Get rid of the house mice at the Academy and 35th St!” So many here threw Officers just like these under the bus saying that their services were no longer needed, and get back in a beat car. Now we cry for their services…
WAKE THE FUCK UP OFFICERS!
Instead of tossing each other to the wolves, how about just a little solidarity? How about crying for MANPOWER, not the re-distribution of it. How about yelling for 13,500 POLICE OFFICERS on the streets, not “Get rid of this unit, these guys are useless, beat car for them too!”
Before some of you start bitchin at me, I have 15 on, the majority of it in South Side Dists, either in a Beat Car or on Tact Teams. The last thing I am is a house mouse looking to protect my spot. However, I do believe that we need some of those “house mouse” spots. Granted, reserved for some 20+ Vet who DESERVES it, rather than a 3yr and under suck-hole like the kid that hands out fuckin’ Blackberry’s.
...Instead of tossing each other to the wolves, how about just a little solidarity? How about crying for MANPOWER, not the re-distribution of it. How about yelling for 13,500 POLICE OFFICERS on the streets, not “Get rid of this unit, these guys are useless, beat car for them too!”
My point exactly. just another example of... too little , too late.
Yes, the answer is to, HIRE MORE POLICE and not just put a band-aid on a gaping, bleeding wound by reassigning 2-3 members of video services back to a district(s).
We're on the same page brother.
Just sayin'
"Lets eliminate the mayor and supt. and see what happens- the city would run much better.
7/12/2010 10:46:00 PM"
but, then, who would coordinate all the graft?
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