Wednesday marked the final farewell for former Chicago Police Officer Jim Crowley, who was laid to rest after suffering a brain injury 37 years prior. At St. Christina Catholic Church in Mount Greenwood, colleagues, friends, and family gathered to pay their respects to the officer whose career ended too soon. In 1987, Crowley was involved in a collision caused by a drunk driver that left him with life-altering injuries and took the life of fellow officer William Morrison, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.
The service was a testament to Crowley's character; his resilience evident in the faces of those who had to learn to slowly, yet unfailingly move forward without the man they once knew in full patrolman vigor. Superintendent Larry Snelling, who had just finished high school when Crowley's accident occurred, said, "There was a level of resilience in the way she spoke, the way she talked, that was contagious," referring to a conversation with Crowley's sister, Beth Carter, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Beth Carter, who became a nurse in the aftermath of her brother's injuries, shared memories of his life, his struggles, and the joy he found regardless of his circumstances. She expressed gratitude for organizations like the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation for their support, a sharp contrast to the lack of assistance they received from the city initially. In her words, "The city's inaction fueled my resolve to never ever accept anything less than what was required for Jim to have the very best life that he could under the circumstances," as NBC Chicago quoted her saying.
Officers from across generations came to honor Crowley, including Paul Toner, a retired officer who attended grammar school with Crowley, and reflected on his intelligence and the potential he had before the accident. "Jim was the youngest and smartest young man in our class, and he would have excelled in any field that he pursued," said Thomas Toner, a retired Chicago Police Sgt. and friend, according to NBC Chicago.
Jim Crowley was given a hero's send-off, with police honor guards, bagpipers, and a folding ceremony of the Chicago city flag. Superintendent Snelling handed the folded flag to Carter in a final salute to a man who symbolized the ultimate sacrifice and commitment to his city and duty. "We just want to make sure that we're showing support for the families, because it's not just the officer who suffered," Snelling told NBC Chicago. "It's also the family members." Crowley, remembered as whip-smart and with an "unbreakable spirit," leaves behind a legacy of perseverance and the love of those he touched over his 59 years.
