Arlington Heights Cmdr. Andrew Whowell gets a hug from Santa on Saturday as the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation's Operation Santa stops at the Arlington Heights Police Department to drop off gifts for Officer Michael McEvoy, who was shot Thursday in the line of duty.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation's 7th annual Operation Santa made a last-minute stop in its tribute tour to fallen officers, bringing gifts Saturday to the Arlington Heights police headquarters for the officer shot Thursday evening while responding to a hostage situation.
Michael McEvoy, 52, a 23-year veteran of the department, was shot in the face by Eric Anderson, 41, of Niles, who had been stalking an ex-girlfriend and had taken her hostage, police said. Anderson was shot and killed several hours later when he entered the garage of the house and pointed a gun at officers, police said.
“Officer Michael McEvoy is in stable condition at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital,” Arlington Heights Cmdr. Andrew Whowell said Saturday. “He has a long road ahead of him with his recovery, but he is expected to make a full recovery.”
The memorial foundation had organized a presidential-style motorcade this weekend escorting Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and a team of merry elves, including Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, who delivered gifts, good wishes and the spirit of the holidays to 16 families of slain or seriously injured Chicago police officers. The motorcade began the day by loading vans with gifts contributed by Macy's State Street store.
Arlington Hts. cop shot responding to domestic incident
Sgt. Stephanie Mack, left, and Cmdr. Andrew Whowell say goodbye to Santa and Mrs. Claus at the conclusion of a stop Saturday by the Chicago Police Memorial Foundations Operation Santa at the Arlington Heights Police Department to drop off gifts for Officer Michael McEvoy.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Vehicles from the Chicago Police Memorial Foundations Operation Santa arrive at the Arlington Heights Police Department on Saturday to drop off gifts for Officer Michael McEvoy, who was shot in the line of duty on Thursday.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
The Chicago Police Memorial Foundations Operation Santa stops at the Arlington Heights Police Department on Saturday to drop off gifts for Officer Michael McEvoy, who was shot Thursday in the line of duty.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Arlington Heights Capt. Nick Pecora holds gifts for Officer Michael McEvoy, who was shot in the line of duty last week, as the Chicago Police Memorial Foundations Operation Santa stops at the Arlington Heights Police Department on Saturday.
JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com