- John Hubbard spent his life carrying the burdens of his generation, and now a group of volunteers is stepping up to carry the WWII veteran to his final resting place. After a life of service including both World War II and 30 years in the Chicago Police Department, Hubbard suffered a stroke last month, and passed away in hospice Wednesday at the age of 91.
Neighbor Beverly Falls’ family lived next door to the Hubbards for 48 years, and were close family friends. "He was known as... a friendly patrolman," Falls said. "He served his country."
With few of Hubbards' friends left, and only a few family members living out of state, Falls asked WGN to see if military or CPD veterans would volunteer to carry Hubbard’s coffin to his final resting place. The Chicago Police Department organizes such services for line of duty deaths, and commanding officers can send members to assist at funerals of active members who die outside of the line of duty. Organizations like the Saint Jude Police League provide services to retired members when resources are available.
“I think veterans and police will volunteer, and America is a great country and when it all boils down, we come together and do the right thing,” Falls said. It turns out Falls was correct, as within minutes of WGN airing the story about her call for volunteers, at least six CPD and military veterans contacted her to say they would heed the call.
No doubt there are many CPD officers (and veterans) still living locally. And they are lacking contemporaries who are physically capable of seeing them to their final resting place. It would be nice if the Department or the FOP or any of the ethnic police groups had a listing of retirees who might be in need.
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