 | |  | Patrolman William Feeley
Chicago Police Department
Illinois
Tuesday, July 31, 1894 |
Sir, while conducting research into the early history of your Department, I inadvertently discovered your all but forgotten ultimate sacrifice. I brought it to the attention of the executives at the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation asking that your name be added to its new memorial on Chicago's beautiful lakefront...but to no avail.
In fact, they never even answered me.
You will be pleased to know however, that a few months later, while helping two friends read through the memoirs of Chief Francis O'Neill, I noticed that O'Neill wrote about your heroic death in his personal memoirs.
I contacted the Chief O’Neill’s great granddaughter, Mary Lesch and her friend, Chicago scholar and author, Ellen Skerrett, who were editing the Chief's memoirs at the time. I advised them of this incredible piece of evidence contained in the Chief's memoirs but they asked me not to divulge anything about it until such time as their book was published. Well, Mary and Ellen's book is now out and it's called, "Chief O'Neill's Sketchy Recollection of an Eventful Life in Chicago."
Your story is found on page 83 of the book.
Chief O’Neill stated "Now comes the saddest tale of record..." He then provides the details of your sad story and how you died in the line of duty while on patrol on the railroad cars during the Pullman railroad strike of the summer of 1894.
Historians speak of "Primary Source" evidence as the best and most reliable kind of historic evidence there is...well, given this new primary source evidence, I can't see how they can turn you down now. It’s pretty powerful stuff that your heroic death was recounted years later by your former boss's own hand. This is nothing short of O'Neill's "voice from the grave" shedding new light and understanding of your line of duty death!
Chief O'Neill leaves no doubt in anyone's mind that you, in fact, died in the line of duty.
With this new evidence, I will resubmit your name again to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation and hopefully they will put aside the personal contempt they hold for me over the case of another fallen hero, your colleague, Constable James Quinn, End of Watch: 05-DEC-1853, and maybe they’ll do the right thing by you.
If there is any justice at all, they will add your name during National Police Week this year so that you will be enshrined forever among your colleagues and other fallen heroes of the Chicago Police Department. Rick Barrett
DEA ASAC (ret.)
2008-03-26
Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten. Police Officer
2006-12-05
Patrolman Feely,
It has taken over 112 years, but you are finally being honored. I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Chicago.
R.I.P.
Anonymous Anonymous
2006-12-05
It's an honor to be the first of many to leave a reflection honoring your courageous service and dedication. Thank you SIR!
You are not forgotten for the sacrifice you made protecting those you were sworn to serve.
GOD speed........ Senior Officer D. W. Reichhardt
Waverly (Va.) Police Department
2006-12-03
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