Officer Down Memorial Page

Rest in Peace, Sergeant O'Reilly. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
April 27, 2012

Once again the anniversary of you being called away has arrived. You have not been forgotten. Continue to watch over your loved ones.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
March 16, 2012

You have not been forgotten, especially by those that love you dearly and think of you every day. Continue to watch over your loved ones. Thank you for your dedicated service to others.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
March 16, 2011

Your contribution to the CPD will not be forgotten. thank you for your service.

Detective Thomas Downes
Chicago
March 16, 2011

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
March 16, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06
March 16, 2009

Thinking of you today, May 15th, National Police Memorial Day. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and let them feel your presence so they know you are protecting them. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/05
May 15, 2008

Dear Phil,
I miss the good times we had working in 011 on midnights with you. You made all of us laugh with your anecdotes. The time you worked the desk in your uniform shirt and blue jeans will forever be etched in my mind. Thank you for the respect you showed each of us when you first came to the 011th District. Rest in peace my brother. God bless your family.
Jeremy

Det. J. Morales #20196
Chicago Police Department
May 7, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
March 16, 2008

Never forgotten. God Bless your family, friends and co-workers on the anniversary of your passing.

911 Dispatcher
Virginia
March 16, 2008

You and all of your loved ones are in our thoughts today and every day. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and those still on patrol. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
March 15, 2008

Miss you, Phil.
Your jokes, laughing.
It was always a pleasure
running into you on the "streets".
See you soon.

N. DeCook, Forensic Investigator
Chicago Police Department, Forensic Services - Classmate 86-8E
January 3, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
December 30, 2007

well phil i think you would be grilling right now. the weather is amazing..The memorial is awsome.My daughter will be one year old on the 26th. I wish she could have met you.You dont even know how many ripples a rock makes in the water "right" well i love you and i know that your doing ok.

mike
June 11, 2007

Today is National Law Enforcement Memorial Day and on this day I salute you for your bravery and dedication to law enforcement. Continue to watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of CPD OFficer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
May 15, 2007

Thinking of you on the 4th anniversary of your EOW. So
many nice compliments here so I know you are greatly
missed. Time has not diminished your sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Washington State

March 16, 2007

My thoughts are with your loved ones on this 4th anniversary of you being called away. I know you have been in the thoughts of your loved ones every day since you have been gone for they love you dearly. Continue to keep watch over them and those officers still on patrol. My family will also remember you as your name appears on the Chicago Police Memorial, Panel 15, top line, the same panel and line as our son Michael. You will never be forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of CPD Officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
March 16, 2007

Merry Christmas Phil. We LOVE you. Never forgotten

Brothers in blue
December 25, 2006

It was 20 years on today Phil and the class of 17 Nov. '86 never forgot you or John Mathews. Boy we had some good times "back in the day" remember?

We'll meet again someday. The first one will be on me.

P.O. CPD
Chicago PD
November 17, 2006

My dearest husband,
I gave a speech about you today to Elmhurst police and firefighters training to be honor guards. I was nervous at first but then felt you whispering in my ear to be strong and helpful about duty-death. I think they were touched by what a good man, husband, and father you were because of your associations with other officers. We love you, Bethany.

Bethany O'Reilly
wife
April 29, 2006

To Sgt. Philip O'Reilly, his wife and family and his loved ones:

On this the third anniversary of your tragic death, please know that your memory is honored and revered today.

My heart goes out to your family. You’re in our thoughts and our prayers.

Sgt. O'Reilly, you rescued us, saved our possessions, our lives and our families. You are one of the rare heroes among us. You were always there for us in the most traumatic moments of our lives. No matter when we called, we just expected that you would come and do whatever it took to help us, and you always met our expectations. Your selflessness and dedication are awe-inspiring.

This world, this country, your community truly are better places because of you. To have lost you is a great tragedy, an irreplaceable, immeasurable loss for society. We are grateful for and to you, and honor you for all you did for us day in and day out whether you received a word of thanks or praise.

Rest in Peace, Sgt. Philip O'Reilly.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the distinquished service Sgt. O'Reilly gave to his community and the citizens of Illinois, and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on March 16, 2005.

Phyllis Loya, mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

March 16, 2006

It will be 3 years that you were called away. You have not been forgotten and are a true hero. Keep watch over your family and those still out on patrol. Wrap your wings around those you love who still suffer from broken hearts everyday.

Bob Gordon, father of fallen Chicago Officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

Bob Gordon
March 11, 2006

I'll think of you on 3/16. I'll wear the coat. TW

Lt TW
CPD
March 11, 2006

Phil, just wanted to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. Take care and thanks for watching over all of us.

Andrew Cuomo
Chicago Police Department
December 25, 2005

It is just before Christmas '05 and I am looking at photo of you and your young son. I wish I was working that night on 3/16/03 but I wasn't. I miss the laughs and conversations. I'll never forget talking to you at St Ita's. Your wife is very strong. Rest well, you will not be forgotten.

Lt TW (Ret)
CPD
November 27, 2005