A very sad day, and prayers & thoughts needed for this family

15 replies

PMZQPMZQNew MemberOP
Jul 3, 2008, 11:28 AM

Today, Chicago mourns the death of one of its finest.

Police Officer Richard Francis was shot and killed in the line of duty yesterday morning. Responding to a disturbance, Ofc Francis struggled with a mentally disturbed woman who managed to take his gun and shot him in the head.

As his body was taken from the hospital, fellow officers lined up and saluted as the ambulance drove away. When it arrived at the morgue, another fifteen squad cars were there to salute him as he was taken inside, then drove away in single file.

Flags were lowered to half-mast at Police Headquarters, including one that's black and purple with a gold star in the middle, indicating that he was killed in the line of duty.

It brings tears to my eyes reading about this, as I know quite a few cops like this one.

Thanks for letting me share.

[deleted][deleted]Luxury Box
Jul 3, 2008, 11:30 AM

May he rest in peace.

Thanks for sharing your grief. That's friends do among friends.

calphincalphinNew Member
Jul 3, 2008, 11:38 AM

My sincerest condolences to his family and fellow officers. I have a lot of family members in law enforcement. I hear and see alot of stories about what they go through trying to protect their communities. Its a tough job!! May he rest in peace.


Thanks Gish

dolphindebbydolphindebbyLuxury Box
Jul 3, 2008, 12:05 PM

My prayers and thoughts go out to his family and co-workers.

My son is a firefighter/paramedic and they run into some bad situations also. I try to just not think about it when he's on duty. He works in Fairburn, fairly close to Atlanta.

All of our firefighters, paramedics &, military should be honored each and every day, not just on a holiday.

They are the ones who really work to keep us safe.

PMZQPMZQNew Member
Jul 3, 2008, 12:56 PM

Thanks one and all. You make me feel good about my decision to be part of the Phins.com family.

I will try to find an online condolences page, and link it here so everyone can sign it.

PMZQPMZQNew Member
Jul 3, 2008, 12:58 PM

I couldn't find an online condolences page yet, it may take another day or so to get put up. But here is a link to a story on this everyday hero.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1038328,CST-NWS-cop03.article

PMZQPMZQNew Member
Jul 3, 2008, 01:00 PM

Maybe someone in the Chicago area can find out more and see if they list a link to a condolence page in one of the Chicago area newspapers. Thanks.

DrAstroZoomDrAstroZoomLuxury Box
Jul 3, 2008, 01:03 PM

Thanks for sharing the news. I am very thankful for those who "serve and protect."

ALalen1New Member
Jul 3, 2008, 01:03 PM

RIP. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Thanks for sharing Kevin.

PMZQPMZQNew Member
Jul 7, 2008, 08:33 AM

Here is a link to the online condolences webpage for Ofc Francis. Please take a minute to post if you can

http://www.legacy.com/chicagotribune/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=112757481

It would mean a lot to his family and co-workers.

AbideN703AbideN703New Member
Jul 7, 2008, 11:38 AM

I'm sorry to hear about that friend. It truly is a shame that people who's job it is to protect and serve are the ones getting hurt for trying to keep us safe.

:pity:

BuckeyeKingBuckeyeKingNew Member
Jul 7, 2008, 01:28 PM

Thats effing awful.

unluckylucianounluckylucianoNew Member
Jul 7, 2008, 01:35 PM

hopefully he will be added to the dc memorial.

memorial pictures

I got to visit it in dc and helped my dad look for a couple of guys he worked with.

thanks to VO for the sick ass sigs.


Charlie: If you're not as educated or as informed what you do is you start your own party and you yell the loudest.

charlestonphancharlestonphanNew Member
Jul 7, 2008, 03:30 PM

always a sad day when a member of law enforcement is lost in the line of duty. so sorry to hear this.

R.I.P. Scott Knight; Dec. 1968 - Dec. 2007

finsgirliefinsgirlieLuxury Box
Jul 8, 2008, 02:59 PM

condolences and prayers go out from me! very sad to hear about things like this...

brandon27brandon27Supporter
Jul 8, 2008, 06:16 PM

man that just sucks. sad story indeed.

thoughts and prayers to his family.


1972 Miami Dolphins-The ONLY undefeated team in NFL history!!!