P.O. Richard M. Francis #5276
| Name: | Francis, Richard M. |
| Star: | 5276 |
| Rank: | Police Officer |
| District / Unit: | 019 District (Belmont) |
| End of Watch: | 02-Jul-2008 |
| Incident Details: |
Officer Richard Francis was shot and killed with his service weapon when he struggled with a woman who grabbed his gun and shot him once. The officer was on routine patrol when he responded to a disturbance around 2 a.m. and approached a woman near the Belmont Area (Area 3) Headquarters at 2452 W. Belmont Avenue. Back up officers responding to the shooting opened fire on the woman when she threatened them. She was critically wounded. Officer Francis was transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 2:57 a.m. Officer Francis served with the Chicago Police Department for 27 years and was assigned to the 019 District. He is survived by his wife and two stepdaughters. |
Reflections
RIP
Rich,
For all the times you came and took my prisoners,and for all the time you busted my chops about it,you were ALWAYS either the first or 2nd Car there.
In my soul,Im sorry I wasnt there for you that night. Each time I talk or write about the 019 district you ALWAYS come up and are ALWAYS remembered.
You always had your way of watchin out for me Rich and thats what made you you.Police Officers like you are far and few between. Rest Easy Brother,you are at the right hand of God now. Look in on us once in a while Rich and I'll see ya soon.I'll try to keep Larry in line for ya! LOL.
We miss you Brother it just isnt the same without you.
We shall never forget you.
Cort D Chubko
Lathrop Homes(019) Public Safety Office
RIP BROTHER!!!!! God Bless --Scott Boren PCPD-AZ 05/29/2009 ****************
Let us never forget what a great person Rick was and to always keep fond memories of him alive. He was a good friend, a great cop and a wonderful family man. I think of him often and truly miss him. My thoughts are constantly with his family and with all of the police officers that are out on the street every day doing a job that most people do not understand. Please keep safe and keep Rick and his family in your thoughts. God Bless you all. -- George A. Rosebrock 03/2/09 ****************
Ricky I remember all the good times we shared at the old 18. Your sense of humor,and cop logic was always good for plenty of laughs no matter the time of day or night.I will always remember you brother,and I will keep you ,and your family in my prayers. -- BOB WESTON 09/20/08
Rest in Peace brother -- Deputy Corbin, Madison CSO. Rexburg ID 07/30/08
God be with this family. I started my career in 019 th dist. I don't remember this officer. But all officers are part of the police family. And my heart goes out to this family. My deepest sympathy to you all. -- p.o. samella h. ramirez 07/25/08
One heck of a police officer. Never afraid to lend a hand to a good person to talk too. Did his job to keep everyone safe. God Bless you. My sympathies to his family and his brothers in arms. -- Michael J Faber 07/20/2008
To the family of Officer Francis, my sincere condolences on the loss of your loved one. Officer Francis will always be remembered by his brothers and sisters in blue. -- J. M. "Moe" Blair (Retired LEO, Georgia) 07/18/2008
May God bless Richard's family...both those on and off the force. Let us never forget the sacrifice that is all too often made by our brave men and women in uniform. God bless you all. -- Colleen Maresca (Gainesville Florida Police officer's wife) 07/14/2008
Deepest condolences to the officer and his family and to the Chicago police dept. May god bless your family and friends through your time of need. -- t.estepa 07/13/2008
I've seen Officer Francis on occasion in 19, but I did not know him. But having met his family last week and hearing about his work ethic, I know we've lost a good man. He comes off the medical early when he could have stayed on until he retired. If we had a majority of Officers like that, theyed rename this city to Eden. -- Mark Olszewski 07/10/2008
To the family of Officer Francis, my sincere condolences on such a great loss. Officer Francis will always be remembered by his brothers and sisters in blue. His loss is not only a loss to his family but a tremendous loss to the people of the City of Chicago. May God bless and always watch over his family. -- Sgt. John Kozak (Retired) 07/10/2008
GOD BLESS -- PO MEDINA #15133 07/11/2008
You are in God’s hands now. Thank you for your service. I left Chicago in 1996 raised on the southwest side and went to St.Rita High School. I miss it very much and recall all the great cops when I grew up. Thanks again! God Bless you and your family.. -- Detective Jerry Barker Phoenix Police Department AZ 07/10/2008
Rick you will NEVER be forgotten....to your family, my deepest condolences. Rick was one of the nicest people I have met in my life. Always a smile, always a hello, he seemed as though he never had a bad day in his life. He taught me many things about being the police when I was a young officer and he lived by what he taught throughout his career. He will be sorely missed. RIP my friend! -- Allison Schloss 07/10/2008
I am sorry I was not there to help you, my brother. But, I do know that you are now there ready to help us. This is what being a cop is about. Although I cry every time I think of you and the others before you, I love being a cop, where such close feelings between all of us are the real treasure of our job. -- Loretta Ozga Unit 140 07/09/2008
My thoughts and prayers are with Debbie and the Francis family. Ricky, as I knew him when we attended Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School, was a great guy. He was also a great artist. I remember sitting near him while he was drawing pictures in class. :) I know the next beautiful sunset we see will be orchestrated by him. -- Barb Madro, Friend / Member, 23rd District Steering Cmte. 07/09/2008
Rick,you surely will be missed, One of the greatest Guys and fellow officer, may you rest in peace, and GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY… -- Pat McKenna Ret.019th Dist 07/09/2008
Thank you Police Officer Francis. May God bless you and your loved ones. Thank you CPD. Be careful out there. -- T Evans 07/08/2008
I'm so incredibly sorry. It's times like these I wish I were a poet or a writer to be able to put such as horrible thing into words big enough to describe it. I grew up in this city. I've slowly become immune to its stories of death and violence, but I cried when reading about Officer Richard Francis. He was a stand-up man - one who did a difficult job with dignity and a steady hand. I'm so sorry he's gone. I'm sorry for his colleagues, his wife, children, friends. I'm sorry he served this city for so many years and I only know his name now that he's gone. I can thank those officers still doing what Officer Francis did, the way he did it. Please be careful. -- Christiana R. 07/08/2008
YOU'LL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. YOU WILL PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE MEMORIES OF MANY OF US FROM EAST CHICAGO AVE. -- A FRIEND 07/08/2008
Rick you will always be missed but NEVER Forgotten, Rest in peace, I will never for get the the Great feeling of a friend and fellow Officer you were to work with.. God Bless your Family. -- P.O. T. Eades 019 Dist 07/08/2008
One of the nicest persons I've met. A loss to his family, friends, the City and the Chicago Police Department. He will be in our thoughts always. -- Bob O'Leary Area 3 Detectives 07/08/2008
Thank you for serving our city! God Bless your family during this time and again thank you for your service. You will be missed and never forgotten!!!! -- Officer Jamie Chesna #11881 07/08/2008
My sympathy goes out to the Francis Family and CPD.This is a sad day. -- Glenn D.Sotzky, Round Lake Beach 07/08/2008
Sorry for your loss. You are not alone. Peace to you -- Teresa M Henning 07/08/2008
My heart goes out to the family of Officer Richard Francis. I know the strength of his convictions to this Job as I have served as many years... and then some. Your loss is deeply felt by all of us. HE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN! My deepest condolences. -- Ofc. Don Richardson CPD 07/08/2008
R.I.P. my brother. -- Det. Mike 07/08/2008
To the family of Richard Francis. I remember Rick as a true hero: Vietnam vet, unpretentious police officer and gentleman. Rest in peace, brother. -- Richard Guerrero 07/07/2008
Rest in Peace Brother. Your job on earth is done. Its your time to patrol on the streets of gold. -- Lt.Praytor 07/07/2008
MAY YOU REST IN ETERNAL PEACE. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY IN THIS TIME OF NEED. -- MEMBERS OF THE 003RD DISTRICT 07/07/2008
God Bless the Francis family and those of his extended family of the Chicago Police department. I never had the honor of meeting officer Francis. My prayers go out to all of you. The Men and Women of law enforement put their lives on the line everytime they go onto the streets to protect us. That is the true meaning of a hero. Francis family take comfort in knowing he will always be looking down on you watching over you from heaven. -- Dawn Ferrarini district 08 Court Advocate 07/07/2008
God bless Officer Francis and his loved ones. My heart aches for you all. My family and I are grateful for his service to our country and our city and will keep you in our prayers. -- Sgt. Kristin Maples, TRU 07/07/2008
God Bless Mr. Francis and may him R.I.P. My deepest condolences to all of CPD and his family. -- SGT. PSD Roger Liboy Swedish Covenant Hospital 07/04/2008
I want to say that a year later, not a day goes by that I don't think of Officer Francis and the sacrifice he made for all of us that were there that night. To me and my children he will always be a hero. -- Tracey 07/03/2009 ****************
REST IN PEACE, YOU WILL BE MISSED. -- JOHN FELKER POLICER OFFICER RETIRED #9700 07/07/2008 10/06/2008 ****************
God bless Officer Francis, his family, friends, and co-workers. It is such a great loss for the entire city when a police officer is killed.I am so very sorry and will pray for the family and entire CPD that they find peace and remain safe. -- Chicago Resident 07/07/2008
Officer Francis was the kind of Policeman we tell our children are the good guys, that they see in their books, that they wave at, and that wave back-They call men like him their hero's- Thank you for supporting his desire to be a good man, and honest man and a man we can all call a hero -- Anonymous 07/07/2008
Our sympathy is extended to the family and police department of Officer Francis. It is tragic that those who daily protect the population are hurt by those who have negative behaviors and issues. We pray that the good Lord of Heaven will comfort the family and that they will enjoy the hope of seeing Richard when Jesus returns to take us all home with Him. God bless you all. -- Estelle and Douglas Stehman 07/07/2008
May God shine his blessings upon your family in this time of sorrow and grief. You will never walk alone in your time of need, as the entire Chicago Police Department shares your pain and suffering from this senseless loss. May God Bless and keep you in his bonds. Sgt. Paul Bilotta 003 07/07/2008
My deepest condolences to the Francis family. May God bless you. You will never be forgotten. Officer Michaelene Rosa 07/07/2008
WE'LL MISS YOU RICK. I WAS HONORED TO HAVE KNOWN YOU AT 019. I REMEMVER THE FIRST TIME MEETING YOU WITH P.O. B. MOLONEY AT THE ACADEMY 8 YRS AGO. YOU ALWAYS REMEMBERED MY NAME AND SAID HELLO WITH A SMILE. GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY, --BRIAN MCMAHON 07/07/2008
We offer our heartfelt sympathy and deepest respect. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Thank you for your service. We'll never forget the supreme sacrifice you gave in the line of duty. -- The Godinez Family 07/07/2008
When a member of our Department dies, a little bit of all us dies with them. We know what it takes to leave your loved ones everyday and adorn ourselves with a star of courage and a shield to protect us while we patrol the streets protecting other people's loved ones. Officer Francis did this for twenty-seven years. How incredible! Let us while we grieve his passing, remember to commemorate his life and the dedicated service that he gave to this city's citizens. The memory of Officer Richard Francis will be forever remembered and his ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten by his colleagues, family and friends. God's blessings to Mrs. Francis and family. To the men and women of the 19th District stay strong and stay safe. -- LaDonna Hudson - Unit 140 07/07/2008
A Genuine man, dedicated to his family, his city and his country. How fortunate we were for his service to us. God Bless and we will never forget. -- Retired Lieutenant CPD 07/07/2008
I have many memories of you Rick when I worked the desk in 18. You always took the time to stop by and say hello and asked how I was feeling. You will always be remembered and I will pray for your family. You are at peace my fellow brother someday we will meet again, in heaven. --Retired Officer John C. Malec 18th District 07/07/2008
To the family of Officer Francis and to his police family: I am so sorry for the loss of your husband, father, fellow officer and friend. "He died in the line of duty" - serving and protecting. He loved his family -- his wife, two daughters and his two four-legged buddies. He loved his police family, working, joking, playing and just "doing the job he loved". If one can find some consolation in this, it is that Officer Francis was a great family man and a super officer. And now he can rest in peace, knowing his two families will carry on, finding peace and consolation that Officer Francis blessed their lives every day. May he rest in peace. his police family: I am so sorry for the loss of your husband, father, fellow officer and friend. "He died in the line of duty" - serving and protecting. He loved his family -- his wife, two working, joking, playing and just "doing the job he loved". If one can find some consolation in this, it is that Officer Francis was a great family man and a super officer. And now he can rest in peace, knowing his two families will carry on, finding peace and consolation that Officer Francis blessed their lives every day. May he rest in peace. --Jan Hull (CAPS member -23rd dist.) 07/07/2008
Our deepest condolences to the family of Officer Francis as well as the members of the 19th District. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. --Chicago Police Captains Association 07/07/2008
My family's prayers are with you. God bless all of you. --Sgt. Phil Paluch #2107, 022nd District 07/07/2008