RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The month of September 2013 marks the 25th anniversary of the brave and ultimate sacrifice made by Chicago Police Officer Irma C. Ruiz in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, On the morning of September 22, 1988, Chicago Police Officers Irma C. Ruiz and Greg Jaglowski of the Area 4 Youth Division were inside Moses Montefiore School, 1300 South Ashland Avenue, when they were alerted to the arrival of an armed assailant; and
WHEREAS, A deranged Vietnam veteran had come to the school intent on continuing a deadly rampage he had begun at a nearby auto parts business; and
WHEREAS, In the process of confronting the man, Officer Greg Jaglowski was wounded in the left thigh, while Officer Irma C. Ruiz was fatally shot by a bullet that pierced her heart; and
WHEREAS, As Officer Greg Jaglowski tended to Officer Irma C. Ruiz and radioed for assistance, the gunman stepped inside an unoccupied room and took the opportunity to reload his weapon; and
WHEREAS, Shortly thereafter, the gunman reappeared and opened fire on Officer Greg Jaglowski, shooting him in the right leg; and
WHEREAS, Displaying the remarkable skill and poise that are hallmarks of Chicago's Finest, Officer Greg Jaglowski, in spite of his serious wounds, returned fire and brought the assailant down with two expertly aimed shots; and
WHEREAS, The courageous intervention and ultimate sacrifice of Officer Irma C. Ruiz protected the students, staff and teachers at Moses Montefiore School from a murderous gunman; and
WHEREAS, Officer Irma C. Ruiz was posthumously decorated with the Blue Star Award, the Award of Valor and the Police Medal, the Chicago Police Department's highest honor; and
WHEREAS, A Chicago public elementary school was named in honor of Officer Irma C. Ruiz; and
WHEREAS, The cherished wife of Peter and the loving mother of Peter, Irma Linda, John and Philip, Officer Irma C. Ruiz leaves a legacy of sacrifice, service and generosity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this eleventh day of September, 2013, do hereby commemorate the valor of Officer Irma C. Ruiz; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Officer Irma C. Ruiz.