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Rolling Meadows mourns passing of police commander

Rolling Meadows police Cmdr. Thomas Calcagno, a 23-year veteran of the department, died Tuesday after a battle with cancer.

Calcagno, 54, distinguished himself throughout the law enforcement community and set an example of a loyal, honorable and courageous officer, according to Rolling Meadows Police Chief David Scanlan.

"He is well known in the community for building relationships with those he served and his open communication style served him well," Scanlan said in a written statement. "His passion for providing high quality personal police services in an empathetic manner will be his legacy."

Scanlan said Calcagno loved his job, his wife Sue and their four children.

Calcagno earned his associate degree at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines before going to work for the Mount Prospect Police Department for four years.

He left the Mount Prospect police force in 1987 because his family's business, Redig's Books, needed his help.

When the business was sold a few years later, Calcagno returned to policing in Rolling Meadows.

Scanlan said Calcagno quickly established himself as an asset to his new department and rose through the ranks to commander. He even went back to school, earning a bachelor's degree and graduating from the FBI National Academy.

Calcagno's approach to community policing was instrumental in the department receiving the Community Policing Award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Scanlan said.

Visitation will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 until the time of a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Meadows Funeral Home, 3615 Kirchoff Road in Rolling Meadows. Calcagno's family has asked that a later funeral service be private, according to the Rolling Meadows Police Department.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607.

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