Naperville police host somber tribute

Nicholas Cortina, Jr. never expected he'd attend a ceremony honoring police officials who died in the line of duty, let alone lay a flower at the wreath in memory of his 46-year-old wife.

Yet there he was Wednesday morning at Naperville's annual observance, teary-eyed and surrounded by friends and family as he remembered his wife Beth and other fallen peace officers.

Beth Cortina, the Naperville Police Department's communication's manager, passed away Jan. 11 after a yearlong battle with cancer.

“Beth put her heart and soul into this police department and was dedicated to making the officers' jobs easier through better communication,” Nicholas Cortina, Jr. said after Wednesday's ceremony. “This was a fitting tribute to her and I'm glad I was able to be here for her.”

Wednesday's service also honored 29-year Naperville crossing guard Patricia Hamel, who died April 4, former community service officer Warren “John” Chiesa who died March 19 and former Chief of Police Robert Worthel who was killed in a 1927 motorcycle accident while heading to the scene of an armed robbery.

There were 316 names added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. this year. Of those, 158 were killed in action in 2010, and 158 died before that time but just recently were identified, according to Police Chief David Dial.

“More tragic is that the number of police officers who are dying this year in the line of duty exceeds that of the number of officers that died in the line of duty the last year,” he said. “The officers killed last year represent federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. It is in their honor that colors are presented, wreaths are laid, speeches are made and black bands are worn across badges.”

The observance also included a 21-gun rifle volley by the Carol Stream Police Honor Guard and a performance of “Amazing Grace” by the Naperville Police Pipes and Drums group. The Naperville Police Honor Guard conducted a wreath presentation and flag ceremony and David Mackey of Boy Scout Troop 8 played taps.

Thousands of people gathered in front of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Friday in Washington, D.C. to honor those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

Aurora police also remembered officers both locally and nationally who died in the line of duty. The ceremony at Aurora Police Headquarters was dedicated to the memories of Alfred Olin and Thompson Richardson, the only Aurora police officers ever killed in the line of duty. Retired Aurora Police Sergeant Robert E. “Bud” Rahn, who passed away on Oct. 15, 2010, was also remembered.