Det. Joseph Airhart #20931

Worked with you in 004. You were truly a gentlemen. I could not believe when I heard about you being shot. May God keep you safe in his loving hands. -- Retired Sgt. Karen Brozynski 12/27/08 ****************

My condolences to Joe Airhart's family, especially his parents and siblings. They have endured a long journey of suffering and pain, but were resolute in their hope and determination that Joe would recover and his quality of life would improve. Those of us who had the privilege of working with Joe and knowing him as a consummate professional and a good friend, were indeed blessed. I had that privilege for a considerable number of years, in various units throughout the Chicago Police Department (Vice, Narcotics, Area 2), and always knew him to be intelligent, street savvy, mature, courageous and supportive in the line of duty. Anyone who worked with him knew that he had your back and that he would do what it took to ensure your safety. He was called upon many times to conduct dangerous and difficult investigations, but he never complained nor did he ever shirk his responsibilities to the organization or his colleagues. He was, indeed, "the REAL police". He expressed his love for this Department and his respect for the job in the manner in which he served and the unselfishness he exhibited in helping and supporting his fellow officers. As his partners and supervisors with whom he worked over the years will attest, he was someone they enjoyed working with and found it comforting to know that he knew his business. They also came to know him as a man of great humor, diverse interests (outside the job), and a man who had a true knowledge of self, independent and straightforward in his beliefs, and steadfast in his convictions, whether they were fashionable or not. Joe was an individual, and even if you disagreed with him, you were still bound to respect him. He used to enjoy collecting various mode ls and pictures of sharks, an animal that fascinated him. He used to even decorate a cubicle area that he was once assigned with a shark motif, along with pictures of his many travels abroad, his police friends, bosses and family. He used to talk with great wonder and excitement about his trip to Egypt and show you a picture of him sitting on a camel in the desert. He enjoyed downtime with his partners on and off duty. He also cherished his personal time. He looked forward to new opportunities to enjoy and experience new things which were a testament to his love of life and what it offered. It is a shame that his life was altered in the manner that it was, and that the end finally came after all this time. He fought a long, hard fight, something that you could readily expect from Joe. He struggled to return to his life, his family, and his chosen profession. There is some solace in the fact that it occurred while he was doing what he loved, in a chosen profession that requires considerable dedication and courage. But, either way, it is still a loss to his loving family and friends. He will be missed. He will be remembered. We who remain will continue to be dedicated to the job, in his memory, and in the spirit of pride with which he wore the uniform. His fellow officers, friends and family will not forget. God Bless You, Joe. We will miss you. -- Detective Nicholas M. Williams 10/06/2008 ****************

May God bless Officer Airhart and his family.My heart goes out to he and his family. I will keep you in my prayers. God Bless. -- John M. Raddatz Sr. 11/10/08 ****************

Thank you Detective Airhart. You are now in a place that you are safe and well. May God bless your loved ones and your fellow officers. May this year end with out one more loss. Be safe out there. -- T. Evans 11/22/08 ****************