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Tinley Park Police Chief

Monday, May 16, 2011

Tinley Park Mourns Police Chief: PHOTO GALLERY

To read our coverage of Tinley Park Police Chief Mike O'Connell's funeral, click here. To watch video of the hundreds of mourners who came out to O'Connell's visitation on Sunday, click here. To learn more about O'Connell, his service to the village and his untimely death, click here. To hear our thoughts on the recent losses that have struck Tinley Park, click here. To share memories of O'Connell, click here or share them in the comments section below.

UPDATED: A Final Salute for Chief O'Connell: "We Love You to the Moon and Back"

Tears and healing at the funeral for Tinley Park Police Chief Mike O'Connell.

As the pallbearers pushed the casket of Tinley Park Police Chief Mike O'Connell out through the doors of the church O'Connell helped found, scores of police officers – their badge numbers covered by mourning black – were waiting at attention to snap a final salute. The officers' uniforms bore names local like Tinley Park, Orland Hills, Orland Park and the like, but they also came from Berwyn, Willowbrook, Burbank, Lake County, Will County, Elk Grove Village, Homewood, the Illinois State Police, Merrionette Park and of course Riverdale, where O'Connell started his law enforcement career in 1972. They came from throughout the state to pay tribute to this man of the law. Click here for our photo gallery of the funeral procession and police …

Friday, May 13, 2011

PatchCast: A Daily Video Report

Daily PatchCast: Tinley Remembers, Local Scam and A Final Song

A daily video recap of the Southland's top stories

VIDEO: Car Possibly Containing D210 Official Flips Near High School Southland Men Charged in LINK Card Sting Little Bella and Big Mike: Tinley Park Mourns Lives Lost This Week Arbor Park's Mr. Kellogg Ends Career on High Note Photo Gallery: Every 'Benches on the Avenue' Bench

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

PatchCast: A Daily Video Report

Daily PatchCast: Police Chief Dies, Special Ed Cuts and NASA Flight

A daily video recap of the Southland's top stories

District 122 Working to Determine Education Plans for Special Needs Students NASA Selects L-W North Teacher for Sky-High Adventure UPDATED: Tinley Park Police Chief Was "All Heart," Funeral Monday UPDATED: Funeral Set for Annabella Loerop, 4, Killed by Car in Tinley Park Fitzgerald: Top 'Cat Once Was Nothing More Than a 'Pioneer'

UPDATED: Tinley Park Police Chief Was "All Heart," Funeral Monday

Mike O'Connell has been on health leave for several weeks.

Tinley Park Police Chief Michael J. O'Connell died 8 a.m. Wednesday morning at Ingalls Memorial Hospital, Mayor Ed Zabrocki said. The cause of death was complications due to heart surgery, Village Manager Scott Niehaus said. O'Connell was 60. "We're not sure of all the details yet," Zabrocki said. O'Connell has been on health leave for about a month, with Cmdr. Pat McCain filling in as acting chief. Formerly the police chief of Riverdale, O'Connell joined the Tinley department in 1995 as chief, Niehaus said. O'Connell started his nearly 40-year law enforcement career as a Riverdale patrol officer in 1972. In 2005, O'Connell was named the Illinois State Crime Commission/Police Athletic League of Illinois "Police Chief of the Year." MEMORIES…

Mark Valesano

1:21 pm on Saturday, May 14, 2011

Barb, O'Connell Family and Tinley PD Family, Please accept the sympathy of all of us here at the Iron County Sheriff's Office. We always looked forward to Mike's visits when he was in town and staying at his cabin here in Michigan. Although 6 hours seperated us, Mike was always quick to offer and lend support both professionally and personally as well. When I first met Mike it did not take long …   more ›

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