Line of Duty Designation
Some may have expressed reservations, but it is better to err on the side of the police if you want the police to continue to risk their lives for citizens:
- Interim Chicago Police Supt. Charlie Beck announced Friday the coronavirus-related death of veteran Officer Marco DiFranco will be considered a line-of-duty death, ensuring DiFranco’s widow and two children will receive honors and benefits.
“When faced with tragedy, you have to look it straight in the eye,” Beck said during a Friday morning news conference a day after DiFranco’s death. “The mayor and I did that, and we recognized that our first responders, by their very nature, place themselves at risk every day.
“And we determined that Marco DiFranco’s death was line-of-duty, and, because of that, his family will continue to have the protections of the Chicago Police Department. They will not be destitute. They will be taken care of.”
RIP Officer DiFranco.
Labels: officer down
posted by SCC at 12:05 AM
112 Comments:
John Townsend got the whole honors funeral...
If it were not for the job many of us would be home safe so when we do catch Covid putting us on medical rather than IOD is an insult and plainly the city undermining taking full responsibility for not providing for the care of officers!
Thank you for doing the right thing on this. I didn't know him personally but over the last 20 yrs he was a regular face in the trenches, excellent police officer. Rest peaceful Sir.
Hopefully not following in the footsteps of the missing digit midget who took retiree's earned health care benefits away! A BIG FUCK YOU RAHM!
That it was even, however briefly subject to
debate by the mayor, the interim superintendent
and others as to whether Ofc. DeFranco's untimely
demise would be granted the "Line of Duty Designation"
is absolutely disgusting.
At least the usual joyful haters (#blm, the aclu, copa/gapa
liberal progressives, sjws, the community and the media)
are out in the open without pretense regarding their
desire for hurt and harm to befall Policemen and their
families.
No satisfying THEM until Policemen are "finally made to
pay for everything they've done."
Whatever that "everything" is interpreted to be.
Rest In Peace Officer DiFranco...
I mentioned how I knew him when he first got on the job in the 1990s... god bless him and family.
And I hope the best for the in regards to getting their benefits til some asshole democrat steals his family benefits or the FOP contracts them out
Cheapens the honor.
Amen.
Say prayers for the family. Best decision by leadership in this city in a long time.
Beck is in way over his head here but thank you for doing the right thing. DiFranco’s family should be taken care of. Good on you sir.
Thank You Beck And Lightfoot. That’s the way it should be.
Regardless of the “Motive” I give The Mayor and Beck credit ..
Thank Lori!!
I am very happy to see they did the right thing. I dont know who made the decision, the mayor and/or beck. Maybe it’s for a reason that benefits them politically. Either way, the right call was made and I’m grateful for it. Rest In Peace brother. Be safe everyone, you never know when it will come to an end. Whether it be in a barrage of bullets, an illness or disease from the job, or a car accident. Look out for one another, tell your long time partner youve been trapped in a beat car with that you love him or her, because it may be the last tour together. See you at the next clown show everyone.
May God bless Marco DiFranco, his family and those who loved him. Rest In Peace Brother.
(-Glad to see the correct designation was decided upon in this difficult time. For that clear sighted decision by the powers that be, I am grateful.)
Slippery slope. How can you prove he caught it at work and not the grocery store. If it gets real bad and 500 officers die....are all 500 in the line deatha and then familys eligible for a pension. Isnt our pension in enough trouble. If its a line of duty death isnt the city liable since they didnt follow quarantine procedures after inital case at homan?
Great words by Beck "Not Be destitute" WTF
PO DiFranko lived and died with honor. His star belongs proudly on the wall with his brothers and sisters who also gave all.
“And we determined that Marco DiFranco’s death was line-of-duty, and, because of that, his family will continue to have the protections of the Chicago Police Department. They will not be destitute. They will be taken care of.”
RIP Officer DiFranco.
If the conditions at Homan Square and other facilities are as bad as posted then the survivors should sue the shit out of the city and state. Then we'll really see how prepared these talking heads were for these types of emergencies...
Fox 5 New York
As the number of NYPD officers are added to the sick list or test positive to coronavirus, there are questions on the ability to effectively fight crime.
On Thursday, 6,498 uniformed members of the NYPD were on the sick report which accounts for 18% of the Department’s uniformed workforce. 1,354 uniformed members and 169 civilian members have tested positive for the coronavirus.
In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the Empire State will do "whatever we have to do" in response to a growing number of city police officers who have called out sick.
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Anonymous Anonymous said...
Cheapens the honor.
4/04/2020 12:39:00 AM
If a cop gets hit by a car and killed while responding to a call does that also cheapen the honor?
During 911 all the first responders who were diagnosed with cancer were given LODD. You can go on www.odmp.org to see the list that are still being added. What difference does it make if its a bug, or some other means your still dead. Is the money coming out of your pocket?
Anonymous said...
Slippery slope. How can you prove he caught it at work and not the grocery store. If it gets real bad and 500 officers die....are all 500 in the line deatha and then familys eligible for a pension. Isnt our pension in enough trouble. If its a line of duty death isnt the city liable since they didnt follow quarantine procedures after inital case at homan?
You selfish prick
Anonymous said...
Cheapens the honor.
4/04/2020 12:39:00 AM
No, when 1st dep John Thomas died at his home of a heart attack and that was made an in the line of duty death, that was a farce.
That was worrisome for a while.
Slippery slope. How can you prove he caught it at work and not the grocery store. If it gets real bad and 500 officers die....are all 500 in the line deatha and then familys eligible for a pension. Isnt our pension in enough trouble. If its a line of duty death isnt the city liable since they didnt follow quarantine procedures after inital case at homan?
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Uh, I think you need to get some perspective and see the bigger picture Alan Greenspan. Our whole nation is on a "slippery slope". If 500 CPD die from this virus in the next few weeks then we're in such an apocalyptic nightmare scenario there won't be a pension at all. The city will be in such civil disorder our paychecks will bounce, many more police will be killed by violence as the city tears itself apart and the CPD will cease to exist. Our pension is and always was a social contract...not a financial one. Our pension is a pyramid scheme so put money into the Fixed Option of Deferred Comp or a CD but have a plan B and hope for the best. We are fortunate to have a steady job and health insurance right now because this nation is headed into another Great Depression even if no other officers die from Covid-19 (and that would be a miracle at this point). We should all at least have some peace of mind that our dependents will be taken care of if we meet an untimely demise.
Wow one smart decision. Otherwise, he must have realized he'd have a huge blue walk out on his hands.
I applaud this decision. Glad the city is actualky caking care of its own for once.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Cheapens the honor.
4/04/2020 12:39:00 AM
I agree 100%. It’s a sad sad situation but he also had an underlying medical condition (cystic fibrosis). How can you prove he got Covid at work. What about all of the coolers that have died of cancer after working in some of these decrepit police buildings. What aren’t they LOD? Although it feels like the right thing to do it really does cheapen the designation. He’s going to get his star retired? Really? Because he died of a virus next to the retired stars of coppers who died in shootouts? Come on! I know this isn’t the popular stance but this is the snowflake “everyone gets a trophy” mentality.
He died, it sucks, he will be greatly missed but I can count on two hands all of my copper friends that died from illnesses and didn’t get LOD designation, mortgage paid off, kids school paid for etc.
4/04/2020 04:21:00 AM
Unless it's you or someone you care about, right?
said...
Slippery slope. How can you prove he caught it at work and not the grocery store. If it gets real bad and 500 officers die....are all 500 in the line deatha and then familys eligible for a pension. Isnt our pension in enough trouble. If its a line of duty death isnt the city liable since they didnt follow quarantine procedures after inital case at homan?
4/04/2020 04:21:00 AM
Hey STFU and be thankful the officers family will be taken care of
Absolutely the right decision. God Bless Marco’s wife and two lovely children.
Stay safe and healthy CPD.
setting a precedent. There will be more and they cannot prove it was contracted at work. It will be interesting to see if they will now declare every cpd that passes from this, a line of duty death.
Bad decision. God bless him.
Now city and state will have to give any worker that dies with virus same benefits.
Not be destitute...WTF
Sadly more will follow with not Enough PPE
No leadership to have a Plan and Resources in place
No masks gloves and eye protection for POs
And No Contract No Reto
The Mayor and City doesn't care about The Chicago Police!!!
Get in writing , You cannot trust these people, They will find some way too weasel out of paying his family. This mayor is a bigger POS than 9 fingers.
If its a line of duty death isnt the city liable since they didnt follow quarantine procedures after inital case at homan?
Perhaps a way to avoid a law suit and paying survivors more money
Never trust the city
The City gets to bury you or you get no benefits Thats what happens in LOD deaths
If Groot wants to honor the CPD she can sign the contract
Before everyone get worked up, this will NOT be ruled a "line of duty death". What Beck meant is that it will be a "performance of duty" death. The Pension board will not agree to it. They only do so for the politically connected. The difference is astronomical in benefits. Federal and state insurance payments, 100 Club paying for your children's college, and 75% of your salary tax free plus free insurance provided to your widow for the rest of her life until you would have turned 63. Even if she remarries. Its been a HUGE cause of debate for years. Generally, the LODD designation is awarded to those officers who where killed during a felonious assault while on duty AND performing a police action. On duty car crashes, heart attacks or accidents on duty are not ruled LODD. Its VERY unfair to our surviving families. SO make sure you have at least 10 times your gross salary in life insurance. The city will not have your back. Take a look at this link from ODMP and remember our fellow officers who gave all for the job and community.
https://www.odmp.org/agency/657-chicago-police-department-illinois
Mr. Beck sir, you took away the meritorious promotions and you gave our brother Marco and his family something his family will never forget, nor will we. To merely say thank you is not enough so I will say this...enjoy your retirement and May God Bless you and your family. In the short time you were here you gave us hope, you led this department in a professional manner which was nice to have for a change. We will continue in our struggles and we will remain faithful, Semper Fidelis.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Slippery slope. How can you prove he caught it at work and not the grocery store. If it gets real bad and 500 officers die....are all 500 in the line deatha and then familys eligible for a pension. Isnt our pension in enough trouble. If its a line of duty death isnt the city liable since they didnt follow quarantine procedures after inital case at homan?
4/04/2020 04:21:00 AM
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Hey, eat a bag of dicks. The pension already is a city responsibility. P.S. I would have kicked back each and everyone of your reports for spelling and grammar errors.
My man Charlie Beck
I wish you well
I hope you catch a whale off Japan
-SCC haiku for the day
End the gold braid pension. It will solve many problems. Those promoted will want to do the job, not just wait 3 years for a paycheck. It will help save the pension for the rest. It will no longer be a “gift” to the chosen few. It’s time for FOP and PBPA to voice this. There are very few who want the gold braid pension. We all know those that do.
Anonymous said...
Cheapens the honor.
4/04/2020 12:39:00 AM
Fuck you. You know nothing. You don’t know what he’s done. You don’t know what he was doing on the job before he left us. I would write in detail but for the safety of his family we will not disclose this here. Marco deserves MORE than what the city is going to give his family, because he DID MORE and GAVE MORE than most on this job. You’re probably one of those “well, that’s what he signed up for” assholes. Your character can be defined by your three word post. Here’s another three word post:
Go Fuck Yourself.
I’d like to know how they determined that he caught it while working. This could be a bad precedent. It’s not just about a fancy funeral, but real money - from the pension fund, taxpayers, charities. This should be transparent. If it’s justified, then others should know so that they don’t play games later because the politics is different.
While the mayor and Beck may want to appear magnanimous the fact is that an hour after their news conference where they hedged on it, a directive came from PSOB in Washington that all active first responders who contract and die of the virus will be considered LODD.
Isnt our pension in enough trouble
4/04/2020 04:21:00 AM
The pension is not involved until the 63rd anniversary of the deceased officer's birth.
It's not in the line of duty , but should be classified as performance of duty. Terrible and tragic either way , but there is a definite distinction . May he rest in peace.
About time.
1st of all Please let me send my Condolences to the LEO family for your lose.
Also THANK YOU for ALL that you do. There is a Great number of people in
this city that Truly Appreciates what you do every day.
2nd does this mean that every other Coronavirus illness will be considered as a Duty Layup?
I am a member of the CFD and they are treating them as of now as a NDLU(non duty lay up)
They have to stay consistent. And Beck & Lori Just both agreed that it is “DUTY”
I'm as cynical as anyone else but I believe she did it because it was the right thing to do.
First off, my condolences to the family of the deceased and to the men and women that suit up every day in the CPD.
But it was a Finance employee that was the first COVID19 death that made the news when MLL was making her "we never came in contact' speech earlier this week.
It was one of those Revenue Ticket writers. Someone at CBS called the PR person, Kristy someone. And got yelled at for asking for confirmation.
How do I know?
The Source of mine at CBS and I used to work together in DC with ABC.
You guys and gals need to use your medical time & Shut down the Police Department for a week.
You alll need to start hammering your Union Reps to push this when the Negotiations start back up.
Anonymous said...
Slippery slope. How can you prove he caught it at work and not the grocery store. If it gets real bad and 500 officers die....are all 500 in the line deatha and then familys eligible for a pension. Isnt our pension in enough trouble. If its a line of duty death isnt the city liable since they didnt follow quarantine procedures after inital case at homan?
4/04/2020 04:21:00 AM
I;m not complaining about giving out line of duty to this officer, because after all it was just a few years ago they gave the same to a then 1st deputy who was sick at home and had a heart attack. The then superintendent said yes it was in the line of duty.
dont risk your life for me. Stay home. I dont need your help and if I ever did Im fucked.
Nearly 14,000 members? Where are they pulling these numbers from?
Never met Officer DiFranco but may God rest his soul
Anonymous said...
"Slippery slope. How can you prove he caught it at
work and not the grocery store..."
4/04/2020 04:21:00 AM
Slippery Slope?
WTF is wrong with YOU?
Do you stand in the mirror and practice being a jagoff?
Seriously guy, you begrudge this man the LOD designation
because YOU want "proof" that he actually caught this
sickness at work?
Your "Devil's Advocacy" and artful dodgery in trying to
hide behind the rhetorical we/us/our is very foul play
and not a good look at all.
You should've "manned up" and said that "I want proof..."
Own it or STFU.
You're an ignorant, tone-deaf and insensitive son-of-a-bitch,
oh ye self-appointed guardian protector of "our" pension.
Do you show up at family funerals and demand
"proof" of the cause of death because you think your
share of the insurance pay-out might be lacking?
Did your parents EVER bother correcting you and giving
you guidance or are you a free-range idiot with internet
access who somehow managed to survive into a sad, sorry
and stunted adulthood?
Just be glad it isn't YOUR FAMILY in the
aftermath had this happened to YOU, tuff-guy...
You should be ashamed of what you posted.
It would've been far better to keep your nasty-assed concern
about "our" pension to yourself and just humbly hold your hat
in your hands and genuflect on the passing of a man far better
than that which you could ever hope to be.
As a 30 year veteran and 15 years retired, don't believe anything a Cook County Politician says. A year from now they will rescind what they say today
pray he is the only one that is a victim of covid19
save cpd pension
end gold braid and stop pension at last rank earned , no pension based on merit rank
What a great gesture...am not clear how they determined where/how he caught the infection--but it likely helps ease the worries about "going to work" knowing family will be taken care of
4:21, hate to admit it but it's the sad truth.
Great words by Beck "Not Be destitute" WTF
4/04/2020 04:41:00 AM
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They are exactly to the point.. How many of you think that your spouse is/will be taken care of?? if you believe that you are ignorant.... Many after a spouse passes have to get jobs because of a lost income- she wouldn't have gotten a pension from him even though he had his 20 in- go look it up in the pension bylaws. And there are thousands on this job that have very minimal life insurance if any at all- which brings on another whole topic you see the governmental bodies already declaring this a act of God- are they angling to not pay out claims??? Stay Safe.
Great words by Beck "Not Be destitute" WTF
4/04/2020 04:41:00 AM
********
*******
They are exactly to the point.. How many of you think that your spouse is/will be taken care of?? if you believe that you are ignorant.... Many after a spouse passes have to get jobs because of a lost income- she wouldn't have gotten a pension from him even though he had his 20 in- go look it up in the pension bylaws. And there are thousands on this job that have very minimal life insurance if any at all- which brings on another whole topic you see the governmental bodies already declaring this a act of God- are they angling to not pay out claims??? Stay Safe.
Anonymous said...
Slippery slope. How can you prove he caught it at work and not the grocery store. If it gets real bad and 500 officers die....are all 500 in the line deatha and then familys eligible for a pension. Isnt our pension in enough trouble. If its a line of duty death isnt the city liable since they didnt follow quarantine procedures after inital case at homan?
4/04/2020 04:21:00 AM
But it is OK to throw billions and billions of dollars to the criminals to all the illegals that are coming in plus all of the free healthcare but you can’t give the police what they deserve! Asshat! Time to step up and take care of the people that take care of us also mayor your girl Nancy Pelosi that’s OK articles which is talking about a second stimulus and helping the pension fund make sure you get us our money mayor do your job along with the governor same old news conference every day applaud for yourselves want you to stay home and applaudfor yourself.
Please reach out to the credit union. To set up an account for the Defranco. family. I want to know that 100 percent of my donation. Goes directly to the family
I’ve done it in the past. And simply wrote a check in their name
God bless
Cheapens the honor.
4/04/2020 12:39:00 AM
What has to be the mode of death for “honor?” Our brother will be honored for putting his life on the line for the citizens of Chicago. I and for most was honored to serve along side this warrior. What a pathetic comment.
It’s a very bad idea. Not to take away from it but no way should it be LOD.
It wasnt beck or the mayor's good will. Thank you. You know who you are that requested the right thing be done for the family. It is their fault and their only hoping this wife goes away quietly. He tried to stay home due to exposure and
medical history. He was blown off by medical section and told him to go back to work and sit in death.
Suggesting an open wake at HQ parking lot underneath a tent.
Social distancing can be utilized.
An outdoor wake at a Funeral home also can be done.
Slippery slope. How can you prove he caught it at work and not the grocery store. If it gets real bad and 500 officers die....are all 500 in the line deatha and then familys eligible for a pension. Isnt our pension in enough trouble. If its a line of duty death isnt the city liable since they didnt follow quarantine procedures after inital case at homan?
4/04/2020 04:21:00 AM
STFU!!!! Seriously! STFU, you don't even know how wrong you are. Well proven it was at work, along with numerous other officers from the same Unit and within the same vicinity inside the building. Seriously!! STFU!!
Shouldn't have even been debated about. That's inhumane and classless.
Anonymous said...
I’d like to know how they determined that he caught it while working. This could be a bad precedent. It’s not just about a fancy funeral, but real money - from the pension fund, taxpayers, charities. This should be transparent. If it’s justified, then others should know so that they don’t play games later because the politics is different.
4/04/2020 08:52:00 AM
Prove he didn’t.
It’s now or never to send a message to our city about the lack of preparedness on the part of the city and state and department. With a new Superintendant and a pandemic a march on city hall by our members and our family members needs to organized by a real union leader. At this time with our brothers getting sick and absolutely 0 protective gear NOW is the time to draw attention to how horrible we are treated by a police hating Mayor and Governor. Unless we hold the cities feet to the fire our next contract will also include pay cuts, 0 retro and even worse working conditions by a city declaring bankruptcy and crying poor. Somebody needs to step up.
Slippery slope. How can you prove he caught it at work and not the grocery store. If it gets real bad and 500 officers die....are all 500 in the line deatha and then familys eligible for a pension. Isnt our pension in enough trouble. If its a line of duty death isnt the city liable since they didnt follow quarantine procedures after inital case at homan?
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Goof!
4/04/2020 04:21:00 AM
The pension is not involved until the 63rd anniversary of the deceased officer's birth.
4/04/2020 09:18:00 AM
You listened to Beck who didn’t know what he was talking about. He had it all wrong. Pension gets involved one year after the death. Spouse get his salary for one year, then Pension Board cotes on his pension. When they approve the LOD death the spouse get 75% of his pension
If you check the paper today the mayor corrected him
She also get health insurance for herself and kids and the 75% is tax free
He just asked how you can prove it was from work...a valid question..if you know answer in a capm an articulate manner...what is the criteria? Will all chicago police officers get this benefit...again, if you know so much explain..it would be helpful if that another cpd dies they're next of lin knows what to do
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Wow one smart decision. Otherwise, he must have realized he'd have a huge blue walk out on his hands.
I applaud this decision. Glad the city is actualky caking care of its own for once.
4/04/2020 06:58:00 AM
Was a smart move and decision that he made, but I really doubt he was worried about a huge blue walk out
Uh, I think you need to get some perspective and see the bigger picture Alan Greenspan. Our whole nation is on a "slippery slope". If 500 CPD die from this virus in the next few weeks then we're in such an apocalyptic nightmare scenario there won't be a pension at all. The city will be in such civil disorder our paychecks will bounce, many more police will be killed by violence as the city tears itself apart and the CPD will cease to exist. Our pension is and always was a social contract...not a financial one. Our pension is a pyramid scheme so put money into the Fixed Option of Deferred Comp or a CD but have a plan B and hope for the best. We are fortunate to have a steady job and health insurance right now because this nation is headed into another Great Depression even if no other officers die from Covid-19 (and that would be a miracle at this point). We should all at least have some peace of mind that our dependents will be taken care of if we meet an untimely demise.
4/04/2020 06:56:00 AM
Oh my God. Pull the hallucinogenics away from this nut. Where do we find these fucking weirdo goofs anymore? Slow down tiger. Put your controller down, take your headset off and step away from the PlayStation.
Beck did not say how DiFranco contracted the disease. But he said the determination of classifying DiFranco’s death as in the line of duty comes as the officer and other first responders have been tasked with working in conditions that can put them at greater risk of becoming infected than the general public.
Recipients of line of duty death benefits receive the deceased officer’s annual salary for a year from the time of the officer’s death, and pending approval of the City Council, the spouse and any children under 26 would get health care benefits, according to the mayor’s office. From there, the officer’s family would be eligible to receive the officer’s pension, pending approval from city’s police pension fund, the mayor’s office said. CPD also gives the deceased officer a full honors funeral, which in DiFranco’s case would be planned around social distancing restrictions, CPD said.
t wasnt beck or the mayor's good will. Thank you. You know who you are that requested the right thing be done for the family. It is their fault and their only hoping this wife goes away quietly. He tried to stay home due to exposure and
medical history. He was blown off by medical section and told him to go back to work and sit in death.
If this is the case sue the fuck out of the department.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Isnt our pension in enough trouble
4/04/2020 04:21:00 AM
The pension is not involved until the 63rd anniversary of the deceased officer's birth.
Read the pension handbook before you make a statement like that
Term life insurance is very cheap when purchased when one is young and healthy.
It’s not Becks decision as far as the pension designation. He and the mayor can pay his widow full salary for a year, then the pension board makes the decision. That said the pension board has 4 people the mayor appoints and we have 4 elected officers who will vote to approve or not approve a killed in the line of duty pension
My heart is broken for the Dimarco Family and his Police Family. To lose such a great man at such a young age is tragic and unfair. I don’t want to sound like a heartless asshole but to put his situation against the deaths of Line of Duty Deaths like sudden and violent tragedies that took angels like Stones,Soderberg,Flisk,Airhart etc doesn’t compare. Please please don’t think I’m a heartless asshole but he had a serious underlying health condition. May god hold him in the palm of his hand and lets help the family but let’s not set a new precedent.
For those who say that Marco should not get the LOD Death Benefits...
Can you prove that he didn't get the virus from Homan?
I'm going to think he did, because case #1 started there - and true to the city's pattern & practice - they did nothing about it. No cleaning. No sterilization. No Quarantine. Nothing.
They left it "as is". Based on when Marco, and several others from 189/Homan 2nd Floor all got sick, there is more evidence to say that he did get it from Homan then there is to say he got it anywhere else.
Talk to anyone in Narcotics, except the Commander and his front office staff who will try to downplay this, there is something going on there. In fact, some of the front office staff hit the medical to try to avoid catching/getting it.
Does anyone know the name of the Finance employee that passed away and did anyone else test positive as a result of having contact with the Finance employee?
Slippery slope. How can you prove he caught it at work and not the grocery store.
If it gets real bad and 500 officers die....are all 500 in the line death and then family's eligible for a pension. Isn't our pension in enough trouble.
If its a line of duty death isn't the city liable since they didn't follow quarantine procedures after initial case at Homan?
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STFU!!!! Seriously! STFU, you don't even know how wrong you are.
Well proven it was at work, along with numerous other officers from the same Unit and within the same vicinity inside the building.
Seriously!! STFU!!
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How was it proven it was at work?
Impossible to prove it was work related.
Just because other members in 189 have it doesn't mean it was a result of work.
Read up on workman's comp LAWS.
The point is, in 10 years if ANOTHER more advanced VIRUS kills a great number of department members THIS incident will now set a precedence.
Everyone here should try to think with their BRAIN instead of their emotions.
YES.. It's fucked up we lost a good officer but he could have easily caught the virus from someone while NOT taking part in a "police related function".
And remember, even if he caught it from another member from the Homan Square building that would NOT constitute a "line of duty" death/injury or illness.
Oh my God. Pull the hallucinogenics away from this nut. Where do we find these fucking weirdo goofs anymore? Slow down tiger. Put your controller down, take your headset off and step away from the PlayStation.
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Actually this tiger is pretty spot on. My family has been in finance for years. Stop living in your government job bubble. Our pension is not based on sound economics but a "social contract" that a government worker's job sucks so bad that the taxpayer will give that worker generous benefits as compensation. You put a little amount into your pension over 29 years ($200,000) and will get back 3-20 times that amount depending how long you live. Wise investments and city contributions were supposed to guarantee 8-15% returns to build our pension fund but that hasn't happened so the taxpayer and at least 3 younger officers under you foot your pension payout (i.e. classic pyramid scheme).
Our nation's economy is walking on a razor's edge right now. On March 15, 2020 the United States of America effectively relinquished its title as a First World Power when the Federal Reserve cut the federal interest rate to Zero while shutting down 75% of its economy. It will have to stay at that rate for the foreseeable future even if the coronavirus ended tomorrow. Massive inflation and debt will grow and Chicago unemployment will hit 10-35% by 2021. This city will never look the same when this is over as it is now essentially insolvent. Let's hope this doesn't continue for much longer or you could use that cash in your wallet as toilet paper. If your paycheck bounces will you still come to work...and for how long?
Remember 1st Dept John Thomas died at home off duty and they gave him full boat. So leave it alone and go back to bitch'n about if Downtown Brown II is going to wear our uniform.
It’s not “setting a new precedent”, he knew he was high risk and had suffered exposure (Homan Square anyone?), and the medical section did not adequately take precautions to protect him. That is negligence on the part of the city, which resulted in his death.
The lack of proper decontamination at Homan Square plus the disregard for best practices and poor advice by the medical section definitely set the table for a tragic end.
How is that so hard for people to understand?
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Cheapens the honor.
4/04/2020 12:39:00 AM
I agree 100%. It’s a sad sad situation but he also had an underlying medical condition (cystic fibrosis). How can you prove he got Covid at work. What about all of the coolers that have died of cancer after working in some of these decrepit police buildings. What aren’t they LOD? Although it feels like the right thing to do it really does cheapen the designation. He’s going to get his star retired? Really? Because he died of a virus next to the retired stars of coppers who died in shootouts? Come on! I know this isn’t the popular stance but this is the snowflake “everyone gets a trophy” mentality. He died, it sucks, he will be greatly missed but I can count on two hands all of my copper friends that died from illnesses and didn’t get LOD designation, mortgage paid off, kids school paid for etc.
...........,,,,,,
With his underlying condition he still went to work knowing what could happen to him if he caught this virus. You want to make comments on and list your opinion such as he wasn’t in a shootout. This virus is keeping the world indoors and away from each. People that are catching this virus are dying from it. So with his underlying condition he was sent out to where people are being told not to go because it’s not safe. Last time I check when we go to work it called your “tour of duty.” So for him to be honored Line of Duty Death it’s exactly what it should be.
Anonymous said...
I’d like to know how they determined that he caught it while working. This could be a bad precedent. It’s not just about a fancy funeral, but real money - from the pension fund, taxpayers, charities. This should be transparent. If it’s justified, then others should know so that they don’t play games later because the politics is different.
4/04/2020 08:52:00 AM
Prove he didn’t.
Right, but for line of duty you HAVE TO prove that he did.. which you can’t absolutely prove. You can surmise that it happened because people from work had it also in the same building but thousands of people outside of work have it also. You can’t prove it’s from work. Yes people from his building have it but it could have happened anywhere outside of work. The store, getting groceries, eating dinner, walking past a person that sneezed etc. will never get line of duty.
When john thomas went home and died of a heart attack and was given a line of duty death it raised a few eyebrows. Anyone with time on this job can name plenty of guys who went home and dropped dead of a massive coronary and did not get this benefit. A precedent has been set, anyone else gets sick and dies from this kung fu flu should also get the same benefit.
Prove he didn’t.
4/04/2020 05:16:00 PM
Well, smart ass, I’m no epidemiologist, but here ya go: the data show that there are many COVID deaths of people who contracted the disease from other than their work environment. Even those who worked in close proximity to others. So, absent proof that it was contracted at work, the data support that it wasn’t.
It’s in everyone’s best interests that this be a transparent process and determination.u
Anonymous said...
Mr. Beck sir, you took away the meritorious promotions and you gave our brother Marco and his family something his family will never forget, nor will we. To merely say thank you is not enough so I will say this...enjoy your retirement and May God Bless you and your family. In the short time you were here you gave us hope, you led this department in a professional manner which was nice to have for a change. We will continue in our struggles and we will remain faithful, Semper Fidelis.
4/04/2020 08:15:00 AM
Beck had nothing to do with any of these decisions. He can't take a dump without first asking Chief Bobby Boik or Clausen. Larri approved LODD to appease the police, who she detests but needs now more than ever, just like Boik and Clausen. This move was purely political.
To 4/04/2020 08:11:00 PM
I agree.
Line of duty should be reserved as a special honor to those actually killed performing a police function. Not catching a disease at work. If he had contracted the disease while on the street a different situation.
Does this set a precedent for other officers exposed to a disease on the job?
While this is a noble gesture and it may be an olive branch from the City to the police officers, it doesn't even begin to undo the shitty way the City has been treating the police for the last decade.
Have to see what the Pension Board decides. It could be precedent setting so it has to be decided carefully.
And the LOD designation by the City and maybe even the Pension Board doesn't mean he will qualify for the Federal LEO LOD benefits. Their criteria is more strict and scrutinized.
poor decision , it should be overturned by pension board
not the same as a Police Officer Shot , Traffic Crash responding to a call , Heart Attack while making an Arrest
no one knows where any victim caught virus , did the officer have any previous health conditions?
LL ,CB decision will cost the pension board , did it for political reasons . She does not have our back , she stripe an officer that was spit on , do not trust her .
If the department did a single thing to protect us, this would be a legit arguement, but they didnt. Not a single thing, I went into the sgts office last week to get some masks and a pair of gloves for a job we were going out on and they had them sitting on a paper towel on his desk, 2 of them. I have been directly exposed to between 3 people who have already tested positive and another 3 who are awaiting results, that I know of. I have not been contacted by one single person regarding my exposure, as much as charlie keeps telling everyone, members in contact have been notified.
This is not a poor me, I am simply saying this city and department have done 0 to protect us from this virus, they were not prepared and instead of ripping trump they should have been coming up with any ideas to try and mitigate this, which they didnt and here we are. Its a LODD all the way based on thier negligence and unwillingness to act. Anyone who thinks otherwise is not an employee of this department or isnt one i want to work with.
Marco DiFranco a good, hard working officer gone way too soon. Society wishes that there were more dedicated, hard working passionate officers on the street now a days. Many talk a good game from the comfort of their homes surrounded by four walls. It takes a special type of person to go out and work the way he did. Knowing the risks Marco showed up to work because that’s what he did. He didn’t jump on the medical like countless others and pretend to be sick, injured or hurt. I would like to have 10 Difranco’s working around my neighborhood. I’d say he was the real police; if that’s even a thing anymore. He continued to work out on the streets until the end. And you know why he didn’t continue? Because this virus robbed him of that ability. Robbed him of his family and friends. Let that sink in for a moment. Everything GONE. I came onto the job with Marco in 1998. We became good friends. I’m very proud of the officer Marco became. But knowing Marco he never enjoyed being in the spotlight. He did some fantastic work in his short 21 year career. I hope we can all sit back for a moment and understand we lost one hell of a cop, coworker and to some of us a good friend. Rest easy Marco. I’ll see you on the other side.
JC 1980
Chicago Police Department Academy Class 98-4 B.
Anonymous said...
Remember 1st Dept John Thomas died at home off duty and they gave him full boat. So leave it alone and go back to bitch'n about if Downtown Brown II is going to wear our uniform.
4/05/2020 12:07:00 AM
I agree with you 100% If an off duty 1st Deputy dies at home because of a heart attack have it ruled in the line of duty then why not every other officer out there ?????
And no, I have nothing against John Thomas, he was a great guy
who cares. the ctu and cta are getting paid for nothing. the govt will end up printing 6-8 trillion to appease the masses. unprecidented orgy of spending. give officers lodd cuz in the end it wont matter. if this amount of red ink doesnt kill the u.s. nothing will. r.i.p. ofc di franco.
now if the officer that was stripped after being spit on , licked by a person with the disease
Yes , it's line of duty death
it can open a can of worms if city workers start getting sick , passing away from disease
Geeze. Channel 7 said his neighborhood in Palentine and neighboring Park Ridge honored the Police Officer that died from corvid19 by singing the National Anthem tonight .
And no, I have nothing against John Thomas, he was a great guy
4/05/2020 05:54:00 PM
As the first deputy he was very cocky, arrogant and condescending. He thought he was Townsend. Even so, his demise was unfortunate. May he RIP.
John Thomas was the 1st Deputy Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department when he died. He had advanced lung cancer and died of that or a heart attack while he was off duty. As the second highest ranking member of CPD, and at that time it’s highest profile member,Thomas was somewhat of a Chicago dignitary. His wake and funeral had all the pomp and circumstances of a Chicago dignitary like an Alderman or a CPD or CFD member killed in the line of duty. His death however was NOT classified as Line Of Duty or In the Performance Of Duty as many have said it was on this blog.
FOP , PBPA must add to next contract , No Merit Promotions.
To the post who is clearly fibbing. John Thomas died of heart attack sitting in his favorite lounge chair at home. John was loved by many. He smoked until the day he died. He did not have lung cancer, let alone advanced. Hillard is the one and only who presented to the mayor and to the annuity fund the self made story that JT was under tremendous stress due to Hillard dumping excessive workloads on JT, and that's what caused the heart attack. JT got the honors and Mrs JT got the money.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
who cares. the ctu and cta are getting paid for nothing. the govt will end up printing 6-8 trillion to appease the masses. unprecidented orgy of spending. give officers lodd cuz in the end it wont matter. if this amount of red ink doesnt kill the u.s. nothing will. r.i.p. ofc di franco.
4/05/2020 06:41:00 PM
No the teachers are getting paid for a huge parade throughout the clearing neighborhood they are your teachers at the door school, having all the children coming out in groups to cheer them on as they’re driving by with your cars decorated kind a like a slap in the face spitting on the poor residence as they’re getting their full paycheck for doing nothing except for having a parade yeah mayor we site including having Chicago police with lights and sirens escorting these idiots throughout the neighborhood why are they still getting full pay can’t we cut their pay down to half sister not going to work? Let’s start closing the schools it’s this is proving the schools aren’t even needed we could save Billions of dollars easily get rid of the administration which is way way overloaded one teacher teach maybe 2 to 3 classes easily if they do it online save us money it’s about time how about a mayor?
Anonymous said...
To the post who is clearly fibbing. John Thomas died of heart attack sitting in his favorite lounge chair at home. John was loved by many. He smoked until the day he died. He did not have lung cancer, let alone advanced. Hillard is the one and only who presented to the mayor and to the annuity fund the self made story that JT was under tremendous stress due to Hillard dumping excessive workloads on JT, and that's what caused the heart attack. JT got the honors and Mrs JT got the money.
4/06/2020 12:14:00 PM
John had lung cancer. His lungs had “crystallized” or had crystals in them. Something like that. I remember that terminology being used. Knew him very casually through someone who was close to him. Good man. I’m pretty sure he was on medical for the lung cancer when he passed away from the heart attack. I never heard he was LOD death. Not saying he wasn’t carried LOD, but just never heard that. The person I knew him through is also now no longer with us, so I can’t ask that person.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
To the post who is clearly fibbing. John Thomas died of heart attack sitting in his favorite lounge chair at home. John was loved by many. He smoked until the day he died. He did not have lung cancer, let alone advanced. Hillard is the one and only who presented to the mayor and to the annuity fund the self made story that JT was under tremendous stress due to Hillard dumping excessive workloads on JT, and that's what caused the heart attack. JT got the honors and Mrs JT got the money.
That’s exactly how it happened. Believe the pension was around $143,000.
Anonymous said...
And no, I have nothing against John Thomas, he was a great guy
4/05/2020 05:54:00 PM
As the first deputy he was very cocky, arrogant and condescending. He thought he was Townsend. Even so, his demise was unfortunate. May he RIP.
4/05/2020 11:57:00 PM
Maybe he was to you for some reason, but he lived in my neighborhood and everyone around here thought of him as a good guy and police boss.
No John Thomas was not on medical when he passed. There was no lung cancer. Whoever your friend was who told you that story is 100 percent wrong. Many of us were friends with JT and his family and know the truth.
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