Event raises money in memory of police officer

Ellen Dillon, Derek Hanley, owner of Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant, and Edward J. Dillon attended the Edward A. Dillon Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser at a Cubs rooftop outing on May 18. The event raised $30,000.

More than 210 people attended breakfast at Peggy Kinnane's Irish Pub before heading to Chicago for a Cubs game on May 18.

The event raised $30,000 for the Edward A. Dillon Memorial Scholarship Fund and Salute, Inc and was sponsored by Derek Hanley, the owner of Peggy's in Arlington Heights. Dillon's parents, Edward J. and Ellen also planed the event.

Tickets to the day-long event were $225 each.

Dillon, 27, was an Arlington Heights police officer who died Dec. 31, 2007. He graduated from Stevenson High School in 1998.

Dillon went on to earn a bachelor's in political science and journalism from Bradley University in 2002. Three years later, he added a master's in criminal justice from Boston University. He joined the Arlington Heights police force in March 2003 and was an investigator specializing in financial crimes when he died. He also served as treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 80.

After the standing-room only breakfast on May 18, people boarded five coach buses bound for a Wrigley Field rooftop where there was an all-you-can-eat-and-drink meal of hot dogs, hamburgers, polish sausage, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken, beer, wine, soft drinks, desserts and more.

Hanley said Peggy's will probably host the event again next year.