Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Remembering you and yours, NEVER FORGET.

Sgt. Severin, the Rizzato Brothers, Nick and Tony Rizzato 52nd Anniversery of Cabrini Green snipers. 39th anniversery of your end of watch Wayne. May God truly bless all your departed souls. These were the straw that broke the Camels back for me and Big Nick, when your three little children lost their father. PTSD consumed Nick, he was an empty shell, never recovered.

Marilyn Rizzato-Reines,
Widow 2 CPD PTLMN

July 17, 2022

Thank you for your protection of the innocent, rest easy sir.

Alexander Wood

June 28, 2022

Hey grandpa,
I know I never got to meet you,but I here about you all the time. The story’s and the memories. I think about you quite often wishing I would’ve gotten to meet you. I’ll see you one day in heaven though! Watch over us and keep us safe. Love you see you one day ❤️

Scott
Grandson

February 21, 2021

Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

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

June 28, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Klacza.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 17, 2020

Rest in peace hero.

Lt. Jim Russo

June 28, 2018

Officer Klacza,
On today, the 35th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Chicago. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

June 28, 2018

Hi my love uts fathersday and i want to wish you a happy fathersday.i know you know but maryann had anither daughter her name is rory she was born sept.12 2018 she is a doll you would just eat her up. And now waynie got a baby all these yrs. He had a very bad devoce. But has a women he is very happy with they just had a baby girl vivian. She is a doll also so now we have 6 grandkids. I travel all over to see them.but as long as ican i do.maryann lives in ky. I live in fl.to sept to april. Then come back to the cottage and stay here for the summer. But i make all there birthdays. Ok you see them i know your with us at all times.i love you.

Babara klacza your wife
Your wife

June 17, 2018

Thinking of you today.

Kimberly
God daughter

February 10, 2018

CPD Honor Guard will hold a 24 hour vigil to honor fallen officers, rain or shine, until midnight Friday morning. Just thinking about you.
https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoPoliceDepartment/videos/vb.40649251533/10153338241206534/?type=2&theater¬if_t=live_video¬if_id=1461779686008889

Kimberly Hughes
God Daughter

April 27, 2016

Dear Barbara and Family, Wayne and I were in the same homeroom in the CPD Academy in 1976. I will never forget when I heard the news of Wayne's passing. He was always so kind, quiet and devoted to his family. How excited he was when his little princess arrived to join her brothers, so sad that they lost their father at such young ages. I remember when our homeroom Sergeant gave us a talk one day and told us to look around because there was a strong probability that one of us would be killed in the line of duty. Never in a million years did I think it would be Wayne, he was just too sweet to be taken, but God had other plans. Just know that I think of Wayne often and was happy to know him, he was one in a million...but you already know that.

Rose Olivieri (Maher) CPD, Ret.
Chicago Police Department

July 23, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 4, 2015

Rest in Peace brother, we have the Watch

Policeman
Phoenix PD,Brother in blue

June 27, 2015

RIP BROTHER

Illinois Antique Emergency Vehicle Assn.

June 24, 2015

Hey Dad, it's me again. As you probably already know Uncle Joe has passed away. It was a long struggle he just couldn't beat. I just wanted to take the time and tell you thank you and let you know how greatful I am for you and ma picking Auntie Helen and Uncle Joe as my godparents, could not have asked for any better. And believe me they both did their jobs once you were gone. Treated me as their own, at all times. It's funny how things work out and I do believe there is a reason for everything. I look back and think how lucky I was to have both of them growing up. Uncle Joe would pick me up and drop me off on the weekends after we moved, help me with home work and school projects. I can't even name all the school projects he helped me with and I remember being really little walking to webers holding his pinky. And for about a year they watched my Hailey when I worked. Yep, I'd go over there during my lunch break and Hailey would be on Uncle Joe's lap eating blood sausage and even head chesse. LOL Ya know it's hard to let go but you know what keeps me together at times?, just thinking of you and Uncle Joe. I'm not not sure how the whole heaven things works, but I do have my own wonderful vision. I just keep seeing you greeting Uncle Joe with a big hug and saying thank you so much for being their for MaryAnn threw all these years that was was not able to be and letting him know how that you know you made the right choice by picking him as my godfather. So hey next time you guys get to together give him a big hug for me too, and let him know no matter what or how lmuch time goes by he still will always live on in my heart. He'll always be my Uncle Joe, Joe-Momma! Thanks, Love you both xoxoxxoxox

maryann
daughter

January 22, 2015

Wayne, How well I remember you and how proud you were to be one of "Chicago's Finest". In a million years we would have never thought that lightening could strick twice. But it did didn't it. My God, I couldn't even come, it was too much for me to deal with. In your youth with three little one's the youngest I don't think was even christened yet.
Your little girl. And your young wife Barbara, you both were so young and innocent.
You and your familyies are thought of most everyday along with Tony and Jim Severin's. And most of all my husband Big Nick, he suffered from PTSD until he passed in 2006. He always felt so responsible for both Tony and you Wayne. I loved him so.
I remember Wayne and the cigerette lighter in the car we drove down to Florida and I laugh and cry at the same time.
You and Barb were such close dear friends.
I remember "My Girl"
God Bless and watch over one and all,
Marilyn E. Rizzato-Reines

Marilyn E Rizzato-Reines
Old Friend

June 24, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th 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

I pray for solace for all those that love and remember you. I thank your family and friends for shring their devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 9, 2012

Hi Wayne, I just had to tell you how proud I am to be your sister-in-law. You are truly a hero. I reflect on the events of that day often and still shake my head. So unfair that you lost your life while saving another, but so brave of you. You have missed so much and so did we by not having you here with us. Barb and I have become so close and I love her so much. She is such a wonderful mother and grandmother. After reading all the reflections, especially hers, I know how much you were always loved. I never in my life have seen so many people at a wake. You are missed so much and we will all be together again some day.

LuAnn Klacza
brothers wife

August 23, 2012

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones. Continue to keep watch over all of them and those still out on patrol You are a true hero and heroes never die. You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon, Retired Deputy Chief
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

July 14, 2012

well today is 29yrs that you have been gone. we didn't have much time together and all I really know of you are stories I'm told & pictures I've seen, but at the same time I know you're with me everyday and every step of the way. But I tell you what I would give the world just to sit down and talk with you just one time, just once. To feel the touch of your hand. To see you interact with my kids. I do have to say I feel as if I was cheated but I do believe God had a plan for you and needed for whatever reason. But no matter what I just want you to know you are not only my dad but also my hero and no one can take that from me. I wear the ring you gave mom in eigth grade, actually can't even tell you the last time I took it off. well I guess take care and one day we will meet and then we can talk and share stories, but until take care and know that I love you and am always thinking of you.

maryann klacza watson
daughter

June 29, 2012

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

Officer 11169

April 27, 2012

Uncle Wayne!
I ran the Run to Remember in your honor this year... My frist 5K! I had your name written on one arm and your star number on the other! It was my first time I went to the Memorial so just before the run I dipped my hands in the water and gently touched my face... thought of you... After the race the kids and I went to look for your name... the kids found your name first. I tell them about you... How you and their grandpa's were best friends. He's there with you now. Miss you GodFather... I know your still "on watch" over us all.

Kimberly Hughes
God Daughter

November 2, 2011

HI MY LOVE . OH MY THESE GRANDKIDS ARE GETTING SO BIG THEY DO MAKE ME FEEL OLD AT TIMES . BUT TO KEEP UP WITH THEM I FEEL I CAN DO IT. I KNOW YOU ARE WATCHING DOWN ON THEM . AND I KNOW YOU CAN SEE ARE OLIVIA SHE IS SOME THING SHE IS THE GIRL YOU WANTED WITH BLOND HAIRE AND BLUE EYES . SHE IS SOME THING ELSE. SHE DOES HAVE A MINE OF HER OWN . SHE IS NOTHING LIKE THE OTHER KIDS . WELL MAYBE WAYN SHE IS LIKE SHE DOESNT TAKE ANY THING FROM PEOPLE . SHE DOES WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO . I JUST LIGHT UP WHEN I SEE THE GRANDKIDS . AS YOU CAN SE ME .
I STILL SEE YOUR BROTHER ONCE IN A WHILE . I GET MY HAIRE DONE BY LU . SHE TRYES TO MAKE ME LOOK PRETTY . HAHAAND THE OTHER KIDS ARE DOING FINE . THEY ALL MISS YOU THE BOYS HAVE A TATO ON THEM OF YOU . OK MY LOVE ILL LET YOU GO ILL BE BACK AGAIN . LOVE YOU FOREVER YOUR WIFE BARB A KLACZA

WIFE
WIFE

July 24, 2011

The CPD will not allow your memory to be forgotten. Although it has been 28 years since your contribution we will not allow it to be forgoten. Thank your for your ultimate sacrifice.

Detective Thomas Downes
Chicago

June 30, 2011

Hey Wayne,
I was at the Police Acacemy today, and once again I thought of you and others that I knew so well and departed to early. Before I wrote this, I read all the lovely things your wife and children had to say about you. I'll never forget that day when you ran out to save that older man. I was the first person by your side, while Bob took off after the offender. I said a prayer with you as you laid waitng for the ambulance to take you to Mt. Sinai. I think the hardest thing I ever did was to stand Honor Gard at your wake, and to see Barb and the kids walk into the room and view you for the first time. I will never forget all the people you helped while serving as a CPD, you truly are one of the finest officers I had the honor to work with.

Take care, and keep a good eye on your family.

Michael Westlove
Chicago Public Schools

August 9, 2010