Ronald "Topper" Topczewski

Ronald C. “Topper” Topczewski was a former President of the Polish American Police Association (PAPA). He joined the Chicago police force in 1962 and enjoyed a 32 year career. He served in the US Army from 1963 to 1965. In retirement he worked for Taft High School.

Veteran: Army

---

Honorary Ronald “Topper” Topczewski Way

location
4500 North Mulligan avenue from West Eastwood Avenue to WEst Sunnyside Avenue

 

Approved: July 2024

Ward: 38
Alderman: Nicholas Sposato
Neighborhood: Jefferson Park

b. August 18, 1939
d. December 23, 2023. Age 84

---

Source

20248860

https://www.skajafuneralhomes.com/obituary/ronald-topper-topczewski

https://youtu.be/YRaXkSoOJRk?si=hCSeTldhZzYNTOME

Thor O. Soderberg

Police Officer Thor Odin Soderberg died in the line of duty during and armed robbery. He had served in the Chicago Police Department for 11 years, since 1999, and was an instructor at the Police Academy. His assailant was injured, arrested, and sentenced to life in prison.

A K-9 statue was dedicated in his honor at the Chicago Police Academy.

His widow established July 7th, the date of his death, as Pay It Forward Day in his honor and to remember him for how he lived, through small daily acts of kindness.

Veteran: Army

---

Honorary P.O. Thor O. Soderberg CPD WAY

1300 block of West Jackson Boulevard from South Throop Street to South Loomis Street

 

Approved: May 2024

Ward: 38
Alderman: Nicholas Sposato
Neighborhood: West Loop

d. July 7, 2010

near
Chicago Police Training Division

---

Source

20248859

https://www.odmp.org/officer/20446-police-officer-thor-odin-soderberg

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=3278824992160859&set=a.204649096245146&paipv=0&eav=Afb1Pxp2hGc_KQhFJ61KF7sChaV2KGDtayjsdflhBsO__pEDLDjtenLm5mU1rRn2qjg

https://youtu.be/wHsqJAhhbn4?si=60wcwkRrZ8mx1cMa

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/07/07/you-can-honor-slain-police-officer-thor-soderberg-with-small-acts-of-kindness-thursday-widow-says/

https://rememberingthor.com/

Officer James "Jimbo" Svec

James “Jimbo” Svec had served as a police officer in the Chicago Police Department for 20 years when he contracted COVID-19 in the line of duty and died as a result.

---

Honorary Officer James “Jimbo” Svec WAY

South Kolmar Avenue between West 77th Place and West 79th Street

 

Approved: April 2024

Ward: 18
Alderman: Derrick Curtis
Neighborhood: Ashburn

b. October 15, 1962
d. December 8, 2021. Age 59

near
his home since 1989

---

Source

20248242

https://odmp.org/officer/26486-police-officer-james-svec

https://memorials.lawnfh.com/james-svec/4799241/

https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/chicago-police-memorial-honoring-fallen-officers/

https://abc7chicago.com/james-svec-chicago-police-officer-covid-19-south-kolmar-avenue/14662716/

https://abc7chicago.com/community-events/street-named-in-honor-of-cpd-officer-who-died-from-covid-complications/14662716/

Police Officer Andres M. Vasquez Lasso

Andres Vasquez Lasso was a police officer who served on the Chicago Police Department for 5 years when he died in the line of duty while responding to a domestic incident.

He was born in Colombia and came to the US with his family at age 18.

---

Honorary Police Officer Andres M. Vasquez Lasso Road

West Marquette Road between South Central Park Avenue and South Hamlin Avenue

 

Approved: January 2024

Ward: 23
Alderman: Silvana Tabares
Neighborhood: West Lawn

b. Colombia
d. March 1, 2023. Age 32, in Chicago

near
His home

---

Source

20235871

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26629-police-officer-andres-m-vasquez-lasso

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/andres-vasquez-lasso-chicago-police-officer-funeral-service/3090052/

https://www.instagram.com/chicagopolicedepartment/reel/Cq3ViD4g6ix/

https://youtu.be/2Sifjy79MYo?si=WvlXYM-TXXlcqHnc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yr_9V2LS04

Charles Green

Sergeant Charles Green retired from the Chicago Police department after 42 years of service. He followed a long-standing family tradition of becoming a Chicago Police Officer and serving in the military.

Veteran 1957

Alum
St. Rita High School

---

Honorary Sgt. Green WAY

South Merrimac Avenue from 5500 to 5600

 

Approved: October 2023

Ward: 13
Alderman: Marty Quinn
Neighborhood: Clearing

b. June 10, 1935
d. March 22, 2022. Age 86

---

Source

20234020

https://www.parksidechapels.com/obituary/Charles-Green

Felipe "Phil" Ayala

Felipe Ayala was the Director and co-founder of El Centro De La Causa, a social services agency serving the Pilsen neighborhood. El Centro housed and spawned several other community organizations including those for women, education, and athletics. He encouraged kids to stay in school and give back to the community.

Felipe served in Vietnam and trained as an Army Ranger. He also served as a Deputy Sheriff for Cook County, as a Member of the US Commission on Civil Rights, as a Commissioner for the Cook County Hospitals. He was influential in Illinois legislation to change the height requirement for law enforcement so more women and minorities would qualify. He was invited to attend a conference of Latino leaders at the White House by President Jimmy Carter in 1979.

Veteran: Army, Vietnam

---

Honorary Felipe “Phil” Ayala WAY

West 17th Street between South Halsted Street and South Union Avenue

 

Approved: February 2023

Ward: 25
Alderman: Byron Sigcho-Lopez
Neighborhood: Pilsen

---

Source

2023627

https://outlet.historicimages.com/products/rsb60831

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicagotribune/name/philip-ayala-obituary?id=36273058

Big Mike Hughes

Mike Hughes was a 34 year retired veteran of the Chicago Police Department

---

Honorary Big Mike Hughes Avenue

South Talman Avenue, between West 108th Street and West 109th Street

 

Approved: November 2022

Ward: 19
Alderman: O'‘Shea
Neighborhood: Beverly

d. February 4, 2022. Age 70.

---

Source

https://legacy.suntimes.com/us/obituaries/chicagosuntimes/name/michael-hughes-obituary?id=32787087

20222674

Nicol Walker

Officer Nicol Walker grew up in the Henry Horner Housing Projects of Chicago, and became the kind of police officer that made the neighborhood proud. He would council those he arrested and helped them turn their lives around. As a youth he had been falsely accused and detained by the police for a mugging, instead of having spite for the police, he made up his mind to become the best police officer he could be.

In 2009 he received the Crime Reduction Award and in 2015 a Unit Meritorious Performance Award at the Chicago Police Department. In 2016 he intervened to save the life of a school bus driver who had been hit by a stray bullet.

Alum:
Degree in Criminal Justice

Veteran: Navy, Gulf War

---

Honorary Officer Nicol Walker Way

Jackson Boulevard, between Kildare Avenue and Kostner Avenue

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 28
Alderman: Ervin
Neighborhood: West Garfield Park

---

Source
https://cpdp.co/officer/29819/nicol-walker/

20221600

Geoffrey L. Woitel

Geoffrey L. Woitel was a detective with the Chicago Police Department.

Geoff was born in Maywood and grew up in Oak Park.

Alumnus:
Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL
Fenwick High School, Oak Park. IL
St. Giles Elementary School, Oak Park, IL

---

Honorary Geoffrey L. Woitel Way

7200 block of West Everell Avenue

 

Approved: March 2022

Ward: 41
Alderman: Napolitano
Neighborhood: Norwood Park

b. January 11, 1972 in Maywood, IL
d. February 24, 2021. Age 49

---

Source

2022386

Michael A. Specialle

Michael Aloysius Specialle was a member of the Park Ridge Police Department in Norwood Park.

---

Honorary Michael A. Specialle Way

6000 N. Nasseau

 

Approved: 2021

Ward: 41
Alderman: Napolitano
Neighborhood: Norwood Park

b. December 30, 1993
d. August 13, 2020. Age 26.

---

Source

https://www.chicagolandcremationoptions.com/obituary/michael-specialle

Jeff Troglia

Jeff “Trogs” Troglia served for twelve years as a Chicago Police Officer.

Chicago Joe would watch this video every day after his open heart surgery. Officer Jeff Troglia had such a positive effect on my then 5 year old son during his most trying time. This past Friday, he lost his life. I pray for him, his wife, his kids, his family and friends. 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/UgTtNSj9JI

— Tim Doyle (@TimDoyle00) March 8, 2021

---

Honorary Jeff “Trogs” Troglia Way

South Drake Avenue between 108th and 109th Streets

 

Approved: 2021

Ward: 19
Alderman: O’Shea
Neighborhood: Mount Greenwood

d. March 5, 2021. Age 38. Chicago

---

Source: Hero Down Chicago

Harold Bone CPD

Harold Wayne Bone retired from the Chicago Police Department after 31 years of service and numerous commendations and awards. He was well respected among his peers and lived a life of service to his City and his profession. He was a talented officer and was keenly aware of situations and able to address any challenge he faced.

He loved his job, his family, his animals, oldies music, and playing cards.

---

Honorary Harold Bone C.P.D. Way

West Brodman Avenue between North Chester and North Potawatomie

 

Approved: 2021

Ward: 38
Alderman: Sposato
Neighborhood: Norridge

d. March 17, 2021. Age 66.

---

Source: Obituary

Clifton Lewis Way

Clifton Lewis was an officer with the 15th District Tactical Team. He was killed during a robbery at a convenience store where he was working security detail. Four days earlier he and his girlfriend got engaged. Clifton Lewis lived and worked in the Austin neighborhood.

---

Honorary Clifton P. Lewis Av

West Augusta Boulevard, between North Lorel Avenue and North Latrobe Avenue

 

Approved: Septamber 2018

Ward: 37
Alderman: Mitts
Neighborhood: Austin

d. December 29, 2011. Age 41. Chicago

---

Source

Tribune

Major Gary Hughes

Gary G. Hughes was a Chicago Police Officer for 19 years, and a Major in the U.S. Army active duty and reserves since the age of 20.

Veteran: U..S Army, Major. Panama, Operation Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan

---

Honorary Gary Hughes Way

South Natchez Avenue, from West 61st Street to West 63rd Street

 

Approved: May 2018

Ward: 13
Alderman: Quinn
Neighborhood: Clearing

b. November 30, 1967
d. February 28, 2018. Age 50. Cancer

---

Source

Honor A Hero Project

Steve McNamee

Cadet Steven J. McNamee’s career began as a police officer in Hickory Hills, Illinois and for a railroad. He was training to become a firefighter at the Chicago Fire Academy when he died in a training accident, two weeks before his graduation.

On 11/24/93 CFD candidate Steven J. McNamee died in the performance of his duties. This afternoon, we honored his memory by dedicating the 10500 block of Central Park Avenue “Honorary FF Steve McNamee Way”. @CFDMedia @Chicago100Club @BevRevNews @BeverlyMtGPatch @repfranhurley35 pic.twitter.com/NhzDARJ99t

— Matthew J. O'Shea (@mattoshea19) September 9, 2018

---

Honorary FF Steve McNamee Way

10500 block of Central Park Avenue

 

Approved: 2018

Ward: 19
Alderman: O’Shea
Neighborhood: Mount Greenwood

d. November 23, 1993. Age 36. Chicago

---

Source

100 Club

Charles J. Barango Way

Charles Barango was a 14-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department who received several awards recognitions for his work and was a member of the 5th District tactical unit. He appeared in televisions dramas which were set and filmed in Chicago, including “Chicago Fire” and a technical consultant to “Chicago P.D.”

In 2016, Officer Barango was killed in a motorcycle accident the day before returning to active duty following surgery and treatment for a brain tumor.

Alumni:
Queen of All Saints School
Taft High School
Lewis University

---

Honorary Charles J. Barango Way

North Kercheval Avenue, between North Kingsdale Avenue and North Kerbs Avenue

 

Approved: September 2018

Ward: 39
Alderman: Laurino
Neighborhood: Sauganash

d. September 18, 2016. Age 49

---

Source

Tribune

Joseph F. Ferguson Way

Patrolman Joseph Ferguson was shot while making an arrest in the last days of 1968.

---

Honorary Joseph F. Ferguson Way

 

West side of South Paulina Street between West 32nd Place and West 33rd Place

Approved: July 2019

Ward: 12
Alderman: Cardenas
Neighborhood: McKinley Park

d. December 27, 1968. Age 26. Chicago 

---

Source

The 100 Club Chicago

Officer Barry D. Batson, Sr. Way

Barry Batson, Sr. was a Chicago Police Officer assigned to protect Martin Luther King, Jr. when the Reverend moved to Chicago in the late 1960s. Officer Batson would drive Martin Luther King to and from the airport, and was at his side at large public events, including Dr. King’s speech at Soldier Field. At the time there were many threats to Dr. King’s life. Late in Officer Batson’s career he was a community service officer who coached sports in the parks to kids and inspired them through his stories of Dr. King.

Honorary Street dedication for Officer Barry Batson SR. at Garfield Park - 300 N. Central Park; were he mentored youth with tennis tournaments!!! @Chicago_Police @ChicagoCAPS11 @AldermanErvin pic.twitter.com/pfn8Hmn7ks

— 11th District - Harrison (@ChicagoCAPS11) July 10, 2018

---

Honorary Officer Barry D. Batson, Sr. Way

Central Park Drive between Lake Street and Carroll Avenue

Approved: June 2018

Ward: 28
Alderman: Ervin
Neighborhood: Austin

b. December 7, 1934
d. May 29, 2005. Age 70.

Near
Garfield Park Conservatory

 

---

Source

Source

Officer Michael Flisk Avenue

Officer Michael Flisk died in the line of duty in 2010.  Officer Flisk served 19 years as a police evidence technician and was gunned down at the scene of a vehicle burglary by the hidden burglar.  The owner of the burglarized vehicle was also killed.

The gunman was found and charged with two murders and sentenced to life in prison.

Michael Flisk's three sons all became Chicago Police Officers.

 

Approved: February 2017
West 99th Street and South Artesian Avenue
Ward: 19
Alderman: O'Shea
Neighborhood: Beverly

Michael Ronald Flisk
Star #6962
November 26, 2010. Age 46.

---

National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund: Michael Ronald Flisk
Officer Down Memorial Page

9/9/2014 Dedication of Honorary Sign to Police Officers Hauser & Killroy

Today at 6pm there will be a dedication of an honorary street in 36th Ward of Alderman Nicholas Sposato, at the corner of West Palmer Street and North Nordica Avenue.

Police officers Gregory Hauser (age 43) & Raymond Killroy (age 47) of the Grand-Central Chicago Police District died in the line of duty on May 13, 1990 when called to the scene of a domestic dispute on Nordica Ave.