RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, On February 13, 2018, Chicago Police Commander Paul R. Bauer (Star #29) was shot while apprehending a criminal and died of wounds sustained during the , incident at the age of fifty-three; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed body has been informed of his passing by the Honorable Derrick Curtis, Alderman of the 18th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Bauer was the youngest child of Paul Sr., a carpet installer, and Annette, a stay-at-home mother who later worked in the fine china sections at several of the City's large department stores. The family was close-knit, sharing home-cooked dinner together at the table each night, and walking together to church every Sunday; and
WHEREAS, Bauer attended the St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic Parish grade school, where he was a Cub Scout, played Little League baseball and spent endless summer days playing sheriff. He went on to graduate from St. Ignatius College Prep in 1982. Bauer graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Northern Illinois University and later earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology; and
WHEREAS, Commander Bauer joined the Chicago Police Department on July 14, 1986; and
WHEREAS, He served the City in the 3rd District, 1st District, and Mounted Unit. In 1994, he was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to serve the 22nd District, Mobile Strike Force and the Mounted Unit. In 2005, he was promoted to Lieutenant in the 12th District and Mounted Unit as its Commanding Officer. He was later promoted in 2015 to Captain in the 18th District and was promoted to be its Commander in July, 2016;
WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Commander Bauer received sixty-seven awards including thirty-two Honorable Mentions, two Crime Reduction Awards, one NATO Summit Service Award and eighteen Complimentary Letters; and
WHEREAS, Bauer embraced community policing efforts, including headlining a regular coffee date with community members on the third Wednesday of every month and holding the occasional outdoor roll call with officers to give the public a better understanding of the job; and
WHEREAS, Commander Bauer is remembered as a family man, and met the love his life, Erin, at a CPD fundraiser in 1999. The coupled married in 2002, and went on to have a daughter together, Grace; and
WHEREAS, He and his family were active members of the Catholic Church, attending mass daily at Nativity of Our Lord Parish in their Bridgeport neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Commander Bauer was widely loved by those around him. He planned daddy-daughter dances at his daughter's school, was active in his community, and is remembered for his down to earth and relatable personality; and
WHEREAS, As a husband, father, police officer, and vital member of his community and the City of Chicago, Commander Bauer touched the lives of all who knew him through his kindness, generosity and open heart. He will be deeply missed, but the memory of his solid character, intelligence and compassion will live on in his beloved wife Erin and daughter, Grace, and all who loved him; and
WHEREAS, The legacy of Commander Bauer's dedication, devotion, strength and sacrifice serves as an example to us all and has earned him the respect of all who knew him; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-eighth day of February, 2018, do hereby extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Commander Paul R. Bauer.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution are presented to the family of Commander Paul R. Bauer as a sign of our honor, gratitude and respect.
Alderman, 18th Ward