Funeral Coverage
Channel 2/Newsradio 780 picked up the story, we have no idea from where, and had a piece on the news:
- Chicago Police are burying one of their own Tuesday: a 62-year-old retired officer and Vietnam veteran who died alone – and ended up unclaimed at the medical examiner’s office.
His name was Bruce Cummings, and he was a Chicago Police Officer. He lived in a North Side nursing home and apparently had no visitors. Not even from whatever family he had.
Chicago Police Chaplain Tom Nangle says officers found out Cummings died alone earlier this month and was unclaimed at the morgue.
Then Chicago Police Captain Thomas Lemmer of the 23rd District got involved.
A number of readers are trying to give us credit for the 100 or more coppers and retirees who showed up, on and off duty for the funeral. While we appreciate the praise, we were merely giving a larger voice to the efforts of the 023 District and Captain Lemmer. Without their efforts and the efforts of Drake and Son Funeral Home, Officer Cummings was more likely than not destined for an unmarked pauper's grave.
At least now, our brother got a better send off and hopefully, somewhere, he's at peace.
Here's a picture from the funeral:
.JPG)
We had one or two more via e-mail, but the files are a bit large for blogger to accommodate.
At least now, our brother got a better send off and hopefully, somewhere, he's at peace.
Here's a picture from the funeral:
.JPG)
We had one or two more via e-mail, but the files are a bit large for blogger to accommodate.
Labels: thanks
posted by SCC at 12:01 AM
37 Comments:
It's a story like this that makes this blog worth its weight in gold. Thank you for passing along the information regarding this officer. Rest in peace Officer.
This is why you will never get it Jfled, we step up for each other!!!! THere could be two P/o's working the wach together, that are mortal enemies, but the second one of them calls for help the other will be there.
Unlike you, who is nothing but a coward!!! So until you run off into a sunset, how about you have a nice cup of just STFU!!!!!!
Nice job, to the Captain on starting the movement to get this Officer & Veteran, Purple Heart a proper burial. Great job to all that remembered this Officer, and to Drake and Sons for helping lay this Officer to rest. May you R.I.P. Officer.
You can always create a photobucket or flickr account and link to that.
In any case I'm glad you posted this story.
"Though alone in life he was embraced in death." Rest in Peace brother.
This was a great thing that happened. You must know, SCC, that your blog had a major impact in the turnout. A tip of the hat to you and Captain Thomas Lemmer for stepping up and making this happen.
When no one else takes care of us, we always take care of our own. Thank you for those who showed up and especially those who spear-headed the effort.
I was saddened by the event but found the Rabbi and the Captains words very moving. Retired cops, coworkers and the like. The Rabbi had some powerful words, as always. Thanks to all that came out to support our own.
Sean Hayes
"The light from mars". And the blue star on the door. That says it all.
Hey does anyone know how to put the word out about a retired copper who might need a check-in or drive by now and then? I know of one in 004 (East Side) who's legally blind, his wife just recently passed away and he's living alone in his home- in a deteriorating area- and I don't think he has any family around.
RIP officer.
On a tangent, it appears things are so bad that fleet has to bring early 70s cars out of retirement.
Sorry the officer died alone. Great response by all officers to send the officer off to his final resting place with the honor and dignity he deserved. Rest in peace brother.
Officer Cummings gave me alot more than I gave him yesterday. It felt like the old Department to be part of that gathering. A little glimpse of what we once were. A full room and packed hallway to say goodbye. Rest, brother.
All of you have done yourselves and CPD proud!
After 23 years on the job and watching the brass ruin this department there is very little that would cause me to raise my head with pride. However, the kindness and compassion shown to Officer Cummings by the REAL CPD gave me that CPD pride once again.
God Bless the REAL CPD!
Thanks, also to Sgt. Greg Reynolds...as I see in the photo, he kindly showed up with his vintage police car. Always the class act.
Lemmer is normally a real *&%$#@!, but I have to salute him on this one.
Hats off to Tom Lemmer
He's a captain that should be exempt
To quote the radical liberal hag Joan Baez, "There but for fortune go you and I". Thank God that when all is said and done we still have each other.
Retired CPD
Did FOP even bother to put this up on their Death Notices???
What a bunch of worthless fucks over there!
Anonymous said...
RIP officer.
On a tangent, it appears things are so bad that fleet has to bring early 70s cars out of retirement.
10/27/2010 06:09:00 AM
From the original thread:
Anonymous said..
After reading this post, myself and another officer who own restored antique CPD squads are going to volunteer our vehicles to escort Officer Cummings to his final resting place at Lincoln Cemetery.
He deserves an honorable service.
Thanks for posting the information.
Sgt. Greg Reynolds #1173
10/25/2010 08:27:00 AM
You guys are truly a "Band of Brothers."
ECS
Being at this funeral yesterday reminded me of just why I became the police 22 years ago and why after the current administration has moved on we will still be the police.
Capt. Lemmer your speech for a person you didn't even know was outstanding and heartfelt, thank you for the great job and Rabbi Wolf thanks for stepping in for Fr. Nangle and for your own inspirational words.
And this man saved and protected lives in not one but TWO careers...Amazing ! My hat is off to you, Chicago Police Officer Bruce Cummings!
So touching. May God rest his weary soul.
I had tears in my eye's when i read the story on scc. Yesterday i was once again proud to be a member of the finest police department in the world. I/F H.B.
Wheelgunner !
This should be a time for the Memorial Foundation to shine. They should with the help of the retirement board help keep track of all retired Police Officers where ever they live. All retired P.O's should register with the Memorial Foundation so when a retired P.O dies we should at least send a detail where ever they are for a proper burial. The military does it so why can't the the Police department.
Did this Capt. Lemmer ever work in the 009th District as a P/O in the early 90's?
Well Done
#3030
A nice story under the circumstances. How I miss the days of the old blue and white cars (that thing is a real beauty), the trikes and the cops who rode those damn things all year round. Cummings worked on the PD at maybe one of the most interesting times in CPD history.
For those who may be writing to Bill Cozzi, Bruce may have been in 015 when Bill was there and they may have known each.
A nice story under the circumstances. How I miss the days of the old blue and white cars (that thing is a real beauty), the trikes and the cops who rode those damn things all year round. Cummings worked on the PD at maybe one of the most interesting times in CPD history.
10/27/2010 09:13:00 PM
There is a '68 Chevy Biscayne on Ebay now... restored as a period correct CPD cruiser and this thing is a beauty.
Yes, Lemmer worked in 09 as a tact guy before he moved up
Hats off to Tom Lemmer
He's a captain that should be exempt
10/27/2010 09:57:00 AM
CAPTAINS ARE AN APPOINTED RANK SO TECHNICALLY HE IS AN EXEMPT
What a grand sendoff this turned into! Rest in peace, Officer Cummings.
The restored car is a beauty; I remember the ones before that were black with one red Mars light on top, then this new color scheme came in around 1964 or so.
We remember this time because Richard J. and Fire Commissioner Quinn got some new equipment in -- the first Snorkel trucks, from Germany (I remember them being demonstrated at Soldier Field) and the new Fire Department ambulances; we felt so safe then.
I've got a picture of the old, black-painted police "meat wagon" of the '50s -- not much equipment beyond stretcher, blanket, and rubber bag. It used to be that undertakers also provided ambulance service. Our ambulances today are miracles in comparison, rolling emergency rooms.
PO5-1313 or FI7-1313. This was drilled into you as a kid along with your home number. BUtterfield 8... 911 came along later.
Thanks for the memories.
Whatta town, huh?
I am grateful to have been able to attend the service for Bruce. Bruce and I lived in the same apt building back in the late '70s. He was always helpful to me and respectful of me. I wish I would have known of his situation so that I could have repaid some of the kindness he bestowed on me.
Please keep in touch with the retirees, you're the only ones who can truly appreciate all they have done!
Widow of a retiree.
Captain Lemmer was a PRINCE when I worked for him, in 023........ he is a cops cop........ Straight Arrow and FAIR.....
Thank you Capt. Lemmer for stepping up and going above and beyond. That is what being a Chicago Police Officer is!!!
RIP "old timer." If we don't take care of our own, nobody else will. Besides our families (if we're fortunate enough to have one.) all we have is each other. "May the thin blue line remain unbroken."
Post a Comment
<< Home