Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service and rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 30, 2020

By chance, I googled Mike's name and found this site. Mike and I were best friends through grade school, scouts, high school and roommates in college at SIU. When Mike was shot was the worse day of my life. There isn't a day that goes by he doesn't cross my mind, His death changed my life forever.

David Brucki
Friend

April 9, 2020

It's taken 36 years to find this memorial for my dear friend from Southern Illinois University. He helped me through a very dark and trying time, and I knew then in '79 that he was going to be a brilliant, caring officer. My heart broke when the news came. Deepest gratitude forever, Michael. You were one of the good guys. Always, Karen

Karen
Friend

March 16, 2018

I went to high school with Mike. He was always had a smile on his face and was a great guy to know. I remember that summer when he got the job as a police officer in Forest Park. He was very proud of his career. I am sorry he was not able to rise thru the ranks. God Bless You Officer Caulfield.

Friend
Friend

November 27, 2017

I have no idea why but today I thought about Mike. He and I were classmates in grade school, he a year older. We were also Boy Scouts in the same troop and camped together. He was lots of fun. I will always remember hime for the good times we shared.

Drew Smith, Fire Chief
Prospect Hts Fire District

June 21, 2017

Officer Caulfield's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 12-13-16 to honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan
RPPD (IL)

December 13, 2016

The Village of Forest Park will honor Michael's memory in an unveiling ceremony of a permanent memorial being erected in his name and in the name of other Forest Park Police and Fire officials who lost their lives in the line of duty. The event will take place on Saturday, September 19th at 11:00 am. The location for the monument is at Remembrance Park, located at Circle & Randolph in Forest Park, IL. All are welcome.

Deputy Village Clerk
Village of Forest Park

August 19, 2015

we will never forget..rest in peace..you died in my mothers arms that night..i will never forget that night when she came home from her shift...she has never forgotten either..she thinks of him often...

carla miller-laudando
daughter to diane miller

March 1, 2015

I am so sorry for the loss of Officer Michael T Caulfield...I was with Michael that night of his last shift...Always Rest in Peace Michael... I think of you every day.

Michael D Banaszek
Forest Park PD 1980-1987

February 23, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 31rst anniversary year of your death.

Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) officer Larry Lasater

August 13, 2013

Mike, Forest Park never got the chance to really know you. You were a promising Police Officer who loved the job and demonstrated enthusiasm in performing it. I have relived that night over and over during the past 30 years but cannot change it. Based upon the brief time I knew you, I have no doubt you would have risen through the ranks of the department and accomplished great things. Your loss was a loss for all of the citizens of Forest Park. Your courage and selfless act was an inspiration to myself and many others and will never be forgotten.

Former Officer
Former Officer

October 11, 2012

Today marks the 30th anniversary of my younger brother Mike's death,killed doing what he so longed to do, be a policeman. Googling his name today, I came across this site for the first time and wish to thank all who have posted here. I am sure if Mike was still with us today, he would be a great contributor to the liveliness and fun of our family functions like my youngest brother John is. Mike had a great sense of humor, a zest for living and a caring for family and friends Missing what could have been and rembering what was...

Kathie
Mike's sister

September 30, 2012

How can it be almost 30 Years since you were killed. We will never forget Michael, that cute little boy from Oak Park. We will never forget the morning we heard he was shot, and later that day when he died we all died a little. We think of you often Michael and wonder what your life would have held for you. We pray for your parents, sisters and brother and know that you will never be forgotten.

Please anyone who reads this take a minute and thank every police officier and firefighter you meet for their wonderful work. They are usually suprised when you say "Thank you for taking care of us" but I am sure they appriciate it.

June and John Quirk

September 20, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Caulfield. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

May 19, 2012

I've been thinking about my cousin lately and found this memorial. Mike's death affected so many people. He died doing what he wanted to do and loved to do. And a job that the community needs people like him to do. Thanks for remembering him.

Laura D'Ambrosio
Mike's cousin

Laura D'Ambrosio
Cousin

January 27, 2012

Thank you to the kind people who took time to remember my brother, Michael T. Caulfield.
Much time has passed since 1982, but knowing that kind people like yourselves still remember him makes me feel very blessed.
Thank you,
John T. Caulfield, Michael's brother

John T. Caulfield
Mike's brother

February 21, 2009

I grew up in Forest Park and lived there from 1971 until leaving for the Air Force in 1991. I remember this shooting and the men and women that it effected in the community of Forest Park...You are not forgotten Ofc. Caulfield and I thank you for your service.
Matthew Anselmo

INV. Matthew Anselmo
Papillion PD (retired)

February 5, 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

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero. God bless.

September 30, 2004

yesterday was the 21st anniversary of the ultimate sacrifice of officer caulfield on behalf of the forest park community. he has not been forgotten and we still grieve for him as well as for his family and friends.

October 1, 2003

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

Peace Officers Memorial Foundation of Cook County Illinois

September 1, 2003