Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Mike, I worked the far north end of Mt. Prospect that bordered "the Heights" and often crossed paths with you along Willow Lane. I can still remember the numb feeling and knot in my stomach when I heard the news that day. Never forgotten, always a hero.

Brother in Blue
Mt. Prospect (retired)

November 5, 2009

Mike, Just want to say I remember you after 24 years. i am 41 years old now. I was an explorer at Prospect Heights and rode with you and P. McGee a lot,. You guys are the reasons I wanted to be in Law Enforcement. Our family moved to Calif. in 1984. I will never forget the ride alongs, and advice you gave me. Just want you to know that I lived my life as a good person, stayed out of trouble and did make it.. because you were one of my mentors...

Officer Steven Demaria
Santa Ana College -Santa Ana., CA.

October 20, 2009

When assigned to Prospect Hts. Mike and I worked the same shift, and worked as a team for most of that year. Mike had a way about him when it came to the job. He was a heads up cop who you never had to look for when things went bad. He knew the business better then most. I can still hear his greating, " hey Jimmy what's up buddy?" His loss still hurts. JWC

James W Coakley
CCSPD / retired

October 19, 2009

Mike I never had the pleasure of meeting you. I've seen your picture at Maywood HQ. I have heard many good things about you from your fellow Officers. Being the surviving widow of Ofr.James Knapp I surely know how much your family misses you. I will pray for your family. I appreciate your service. Tell my beloved that I send a hug. Though the Lord chose to take you Home, you will NEVER be forgotten Michael.

Lt.Grace Castillo Knapp (Ret./CCSD)
Surviving Spouse of Ofr.James Knapp (CCSPD EOW 04 Jan.06)

October 18, 2009

MIKEY,

WE WORKED TOGETHER, ATE ALOT OF MEALS TOGETHER, TALKED A BUNCH AND FOUGHT SIDE BY SIDE TOGETHER, UP IN PROSPECT HEIGHTS. 2 WEEKS BEFORE YOUR DEATH YOU ADVISED ME THAT YOU WERE EXTREMELY HAPPY THAT WE WERE TEACHING A NEW COURSE, "OFFICER SURVIVAL" AT THE ACADEMY. AFTER YOUR TRAGIC DEATH, THOSE CLASSES TOOK ON NEW MEANING. WORKING THE STREET TOOK ON NEW MEANING. LIFE TOOK ON NEW MEANING. 24 YEARS AFTER THAT DAY, I COUNT 28 OFFICERS WHO ADVISED THAT WHAT WAS TAUGHT TO THEM AT OUR ACADEMY, SAVED THEIR LIVES. THE FIRE THAT WENT INTO THEIR INSTRUCTION WAS YOU, MIKEY.

IN 2001, MY OWN SON WAS KILLED TRYING TO SAVE A WOMAN FROM A CRAZED GUNMAN. MY SON'S NAME WAS MICHAEL, WE CALLED HIM MIKEY. THE WOMAN SURVIVED, BUT MY MIKEY DIDN'T. IF I AM GOOD ENOUGH TO GET TO HEAVEN, I HOPE TO HAVE A BEER WITH BOTH OF YOU.

24 YEARS LATER, WE ALL STILL MISS YOU BROTHER, AND ALWAYS WILL.

PADDY McGEE

COMMANDER PAT McGEE
COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S POLICE, (RETIRED)

October 17, 2009

Mike,

It is hard to believe that 24 years have passed since your life was so brutally taken away.

I can remember the days we spent as new recruits in our police academy like it was yesterday. I also remember the day you were first shot thru the door while answering the domestic call in Prospect Heights and again the day they took your life. That is a day I will never forget......

I've now retired after 30 years and I am sitting here looking out my window at the Rocky Mountains (Colorado) wishing that you were given the same chance to enjoy the rewards of your hard work and fair treatment of others.

God speed my friend,
John McQuinn

John P. McQuinn (Retired)
Cook County Sheriffs Police

October 17, 2009

Officer Ridges used to come into my 7-11 often, with all the other officers in the area, where I used to work the midnight shift. I came to work one night, after some time off, and the officers told me while I was off, there were multiple robberies in the area, of other places that were open late or all night. I hoped they would all stay close, but they got a call that would keep them busy and away from my store all night. Officer Ridges knew I was nervous, and he was the only one who came back to check on me. I remember it was raining really hard and he would stick his head in, wearing his raincoat, dripping wet and always said, "Everything OK? You know we'd be here if we weren't so busy." I'd say, "I know". We were buddies after that.

That was one night, in the summer of 1985, and I will never forget that act of kindness or will I forget Officer Ridges. What a tragic loss. He was a very kind man who didn't deserve what happened to him.

Thank you for this forum. I always wanted to share that story about him.

Kelly Gavril
7-11 clerk - Prospect Heights, IL

September 25, 2009

God Bless the Ridges family. I'll always remember October 17th...one of the saddest, yet rewarding. The murder of Michael being the saddest and the apprehension of the killers being the "justice" part. Unfortunately that arrest will always be the one I remember. I pray & think about Michael & his family often. Don't ever forget your brother & sisters in "blue". retired - P.O. Kucharski CPD

P.O. John Kucharski - retired
retired CPD

October 19, 2008

Was reading SCC and noted a comment reminding us of this sad anniversary. Your fellow CCSPD officers were at a recent parole hearing on your behalf. They have not forgotten. There is at least one citizen who owes his life to your alert patrol actions, maybe a number of them in that house who probabaly have not forgotten either. And an alert bunch of tactical cops with the Chicago Police made sure your assailants did not escape justice. They still remember in prison, where they belong. RIP.

Citizen

October 17, 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

January 1, 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

October 18, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

October 16, 2007

You were one of the officers I looked up to when I was a law enforcement explorer in Prospect Heights. I enjoyed the ride alongs and learning from you. My family moved to California in 1984, and I continued my voyage in law enforcement still today. I was sad to hear what happened and will always remember you. I remember Lt. Levy always saying your were the finer of his cops.

Officer Steven DeMaria
Santa Ana College Safety Dept.

August 25, 2007

It's hard to believe it's been over 20 years. October and November 1985 was an uneasy time for the police in the northwest suburbs with you and Ken Dawson making the ultimate sacrifice. You are heros and will never be forgotten.

Brother in Blue (ret)

June 14, 2006

Godspeed Mike!

Tad Leach, Chief of Police (Retired)
Lincolnwood, IL

April 15, 2005

you will not be forgotten..rest in peace my brother...

skip roberson

August 19, 2004

We will not let you be forgotten...rest in peace, my brother

Peace Officers Memorial Foundation of Cook County Illinois

September 1, 2003