By Rummana Hussain
Chicago Sun-Times
CHICAGO — Miles away from the urban chaos in which Chicago Police Officer Richard Francis worked for nearly three decades, a U.S. Air Force crew based in the Deep South recently honored the slain cop by wearing T-shirts bearing his name and star number while on duty.
“As military aviators we share a common bond with those who put service before self,” said 1st Lt. Michael Ramamurthy, who is based at Barksdale Air Force base in Louisiana.
Ramamurthy and four others from Barksdale’s 20th bomb squadron donned the T-shirts while performing air refueling and simulated weapons delivery over Louisiana and Texas a few weeks ago.
“The dedication and sacrifice of Officer Francis in the line of duty impacts us greatly. It reminds each crew member of the dangers of our chosen profession while solidifying our resolve to continue,” Ramamurthy said.
Francis, 60, was slain last summer allegedly by a woman who had struggled with his gun less than a block from the Belmont District police station at Belmont and Western. Barksdale’s 2nd bomb wing also lost five crew members in a B-52 accident off Guam around the same time.
“We felt a kinship with the Chicago Police Department in losing a brother in the line of duty,” said Lt. Col. Kieran Denehan, whose cousin, Chicago Police Detective Luke Daly, mailed the T-shirts commemorating Francis, a U.S. Navy veteran.
The participating crew recognizing the slain officer also sent Francis’ surviving family a commemorative picture, letter, squadron scarf, weapons pin and coin, Denehan said.
“These officers didn’t know Officer Francis. They are separated geographically by many miles. They even wear different uniforms. But there’s a common bond in that we both [police officers and military personnel] recognize the sacrifices required when taking a position of serving your community or nation,” Denehan said.
Copyright 2009 Chicago Sun-Times