Chief's memento a reminder to be prepared

It sits on a shelf in Jack McKeever's office. The Lindenhurst Chief of Police has a collection of curiosities on display.

European police hats, a 1960s Chicago Police riot helmet, a chunk of the Berlin Wall. But what exactly is that little piece of steel pipe with a hole in its side?

As he rolls it between his fingers, McKeever says, "This is a reminder to all my officers to be prepared. Even in this quiet little village, they need to keep their guard up."

On June 4, 2001, Lindenhurst was anything but quiet.

The call came into 911 at 5:30 p.m. "Shots fired at Eagle Foods, 1500 E. Grand Ave. "

Eric Hanson had shot at two Illinois State Police troopers who were serving him an arrest warrant. His aim was good. Hit both of them and fled.

With gun in hand, Hanson bolted through the west doors of the grocery store. As he rushed in, customers ran out.

A small army of officers, including heavily-armed tactical teams and K-9 units, surrounded the building.

Among the first on the scene was Lindenhurst officer Anthony Kropp.

He positioned himself near the east doors, his 12-gauge, stainless-steel shotgun in ready position.

Then, Kropp felt something whack him on the cheek. Not enough to draw blood. He didn't know what hit him until he looked near the top of his gun barrel.

One of Hanson's killer bullets missed Kropp's face by 10 inches, striking his gun instead. Only a tiny metal fragment hit his face.

The standoff dragged on nearly 14 hours. Hanson killed himself about 7:30 a.m. Emotional pleas from his mother couldn't even persuade him.

Kropp is a Deerfield cop now and the gun has been repaired.

But Mckeever thought it was a good idea to hang on to that little hunk of barrel with the hole in it. "This is a bucolic little town," he says. "But you have to always be ready."