Memorial Park
- It was decades ago but seems like a headline today: A gunman, with apparently no particular target in mind, enters a Near West Side school and fires a shot that kills a Chicago police officer, solidifying her legacy as an everyday hero.
Now, after years of mass school shootings and the unimaginable losses of life, a reminder of Irma Ruiz — the officer, wife and mother who died in that 1988 shooting protecting students — may surface in a city park on Chicago’s Southwest Side.
On Wednesday, the Chicago Park District board is set to begin the process of renaming Walnut Park in the Archer Heights neighborhood after Ruiz. Board members will vote to launch a 45-day notice period in which park officials will field comments on “public support for, and public opposition to, the proposed name,” according to the Park District’s criteria for naming parks.
Ald. Ed Burke, 14th, is behind a proposal to rename Walnut Park — which is in his ward — after Ruiz. He said her death remains one of the most devastating episodes in Chicago police history.
If we had our way, there wouldn't be nearly as many public spaces named after politicians or business persons or trees for that matter.
Labels: officer down
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
32 Comments:
God speed office... just hope Fleygor does not protest your park to some money out Rham🐀🐀🐀
Long overdue. 🙏🏻
How many years did she have on the job when this happened? RIP officer
I read this and it changed my viewpoint on cop shootings. This cop gave her life, and if she shot this asshole today it would have been a fucking lawsuit win for that asshole family. Truth.
Remember that day well. As others. About time.
What's truly sad is that there has to be a "vetting period" to name the park after her....
Good move. I remember her partner, while shot in both kegs, got up and sent the gunman straight to hell.
How many years did she have on the job when this happened? RIP officer
12 years. They named a elementary school after her in 010. A good school with great staff and students.
RIP Irma Ruiz. Was on the job and I remember the moment this happened. Very sad still to this day. Condolences to her family/children.
Her partner was wounded and killed that mother f**ker! Your a hero too Greg.
How about naming Donovan Park the Donovan-Bauer Park. One firemen and one policeman both killed in the line of duty.
One if only two women killed by gunfire. The other was Dorelle Brandon killed by friendly fire. I would like to see a park after her as well.
I happened upon her Son about 9 years after her death. It was late and he was walking along the water on the lakefront with some friends. I noticed the star pendant around his neck and asked who he knew on The Job. He said his Mom has been the Police. I immediately knew his Mom was Irma. The young man was a Class Act. You could tell that his Mother had to be one heck of Wonan. I hope She gets Her Park.
Anonymous said...
How many years did she have on the job when this happened? RIP officer
Irma had 11 years on the job
Wasn’t there a newer school named for her in 010? A street name change would be good too....
Anonymous said...
I read this and it changed my viewpoint on cop shootings. This cop gave her life, and if she shot this asshole today it would have been a fucking lawsuit win for that asshole family. Truth.
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That would have never happen Clemie shot and kill a store owner and a worker in the auto parts store, he shot and kill the custodian from the school taking out trash, he than shot Irma partner as he exited the school and than shot Irma in the vestibule as she walk behind her partner, her partner Greg Jagalowski although wounded went back into the school and had a face to face shootout in which he was wounded again and manager to kill the offender. They never knew what they were walking into, Greg open the door and was shot immediately neither drew their guns, this how it happen because I was there and involved in all the proceeding after that. This tragic incident happen in September 1987 at Montefiore school at 1310 s Ashland in either late 90's or early 2000 they dedicated the gym in her name along with a plaque with her name. Irma also has a grade school named after in the Pilsen area somewhere around Halsted St.
God Bless Irma and her heroic partner Greg.
As I've often stated in my presentations, "When the first shovel of dirt was overturned to break ground for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington DC in October 1989,there was in fact a 'Chicago Police Officer' that stood shoulder to shoulder with the President of the United States, George H.W. Bush to mark that occasion... Greg Jaglowski."
God Bless both our 'Top Cops'... Rest in Peace Irma.
I still clearly remember Greg Jaglowski & Irma Ruiz incident that fateful day. They are both forever heroes and this is a fitting tribute to Irma.
"A gunman, with apparently no particular target in mind, enters a Near West Side school and fires a shot that kills a Chicago police officer, solidifying her legacy as an everyday hero."
Used to the quality and direction of today's journalism, when first reading the above, I thought the gunman was a female hero.
there should be a constitutional amendment barring naming any public property after anyone until they have been dead at least 50 years.
I went to school with Officer Ruiz children.
I remember that family was all class.
They, more than anyone else, deserve a memorial to remember their mother by.
https://www.ruizelementaryschool.org/
They already have a CPS school named after Irma, and deservedly so.
Maybe they should name the park after her heroic partner, Jaglowski. That was one tough SOB and a true hero for the actions he took that day. His courage saved countless peoples lives and it isn't celebrated enough.
May she RIP, The pos thug went from auto parts store to the school shooting, thanks Alderman Burke this is a credible nice move! Burke has many faults but this is to be commended!
Copied from the Chicago Tribune;
Heroes, Sacrifices And A Son`s Tears
September 25, 1988
What makes a hero? Courage and sacrifice, for starters, just the sort of ingredients that make up Chicago Police Officer Gregory Jaglowski.
Shot in both legs, bleeding heavily and down to his last bullet, it was Officer Jaglowski who fired back at Clem Henderson, the deranged man who left four others dead, including Officer Jaglowski`s partner, Officer Irma Ruiz, in a shooting rampage.
Gregory Jaglowski and Irma Ruiz were living, breathing embodiments of the Chicago Police Department`s slogan, ``We serve and protect.`` They served and sacrificed to protect the students in Moses Montefiore public school, and last week Irma Ruiz sacrificed with her life. Staggering from a bullet wound, her partner made his way to their squad car and radioed for help. He could have remained in the car, waiting for assistance. Instead, bleeding profusely, he returned to the school where, alone, he faced the killer who had just reloaded his weapon. Officer Jaglowski was wounded again in another exchange of gunfire. Clem Henderson didn`t survive.
Long before that remarkable act of courage, Gregory Jaglowski had built an award-filled record as a police officer. There will be more awards now.
``When he gets back on his feet,`` said Police Supt. LeRoy Martin, ``we will give him every department commendation we can.`` He deserves them all.
Growing up in Pilsen, hit the community hard. I was 10 when this happened. 30 years ago. I remember it like yesterday. RIP office and God Bless your family.
Alderman Burke has suddenly had a revelation that this park rechristening is needed?
Or is it just that he's trying to curry favor from a particular voting bloc?
Anonymous said...
Her partner was wounded and killed that mother f**ker! You're a hero too Greg.
I remember it well and he sure is a HERO because he went in there and took that crazy bastard out!
there should be a constitutional amendment barring naming any public property after mayors, alderman or their relatives.
Fixed it for you.
Greg is a tremendous Police Officer, in every way shape and form.
He came to the CCSPD after he retired from Chicago, and was always a kind and caring man. I enjoyed working with him. One of Sheahan's good, no GREAT moves. He went about his day as our Homeland Security Director, and always did the right thing for the right reason at the right time. Few of us knew what he faced that fateful day. He never brought it up or grandstanded on it. Just the way he is.
His daughter also worked for me at the Department. A wonderful young lady and a phenomenal employee; a true credit to her father.
To the family of Irma Ruiz, I wish you every blessing. I know that your lives are forever broken by this tragedy, ad I wish there was something I could do to make it go away but I can't. Know well that Irma is watching from above and be comforted by this.
Greg if you are reading this: God bless you and yours every day and in every way. Continued good health. I hope that time has healed some of your pain and that you continue to live happily bouncing grand babies on your knee (if they are not too big yet!)
Citizen reader: I like the idea. Young people need to know who she was and her sacrifice. Her former partner looked good and was impressive in his words. You were my hero 30 years ago Officer Greg and still today. Burke has the idea right but I disagree with the rating of her death. All LOD deaths to me are tragic. The only death that was not tragic was that of Clem. That folks was justice.
I grew up with the Ruiz family. Irma Ruiz was a wonderful mother. A beautiful lady and a damn fine policewoman. We can’t celebrate her sacrifice enough. Make this happen now!
This was a terrible tragedy for the Ruiz family. It was also a terrible tragedy for the Baker family. Arty Baker was also killed by this crazed gunman back at Montiriore in 1988. God bless both of these good people and god bless the families that lost a loved one.
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