RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, William "Bill" Liva, Star Number 6035 has announced his retirement from the Chicago Police Department after twenty five years of service; and,
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his retirement by Alderman Ginger Rugai; and,
WHEREAS, born in 1952 to Edward and Carmella, Bill was joined by his brother Edward, and they were raised in a warm and loving home in St. Margaret of Scotland parish; and,
WHEREAS, Bill's athletic career which began in grammar school and continued when he attended St. Leo High School included football, baseball and boxing; and,
WHEREAS, Bill married the love of his life, Maureen O'Meara, on November 9, 1974, settled down in the Mount Greenwood Community in St. Christina Parish to raise their children Edward, and Bridget; and,
WHEREAS, as a devoted grandfather to Jeweleanna, Ryne and Maeve, "Boompa" enjoys spending many hours with the "apples of his eyes", reading and instilling in them the meaning of service to the community; and,
WHEREAS, starting with the Chicago Police Department in November of 1986, Bill was first assigned to the 6th District and then the 2nd, 7th and 22nd Districts working in both uniformed patrol and tactical units; and,
WHEREAS, Bill eventually went to the canine unit where he was first paired with K-9 "Artie", following Artie's death (a heartbreaking incident for Bill) he was paired with "Mozart" and subsequently "Boris". Bill and his four legged partners worked as a team forming a bond that is as close as the one between a police officer and any partner; and,
WHEREAS, during his career Bill was awarded two Department Commendations, 104 Honorable Mentions, a Joint Operations Award and 2 citizen complementary letters and in addition in July of 1993, Bill was selected as the 7th District Police Officer ofthe month; and,
WHEREAS, K-9 Boris follows Bill into retirement and the two retired partners will enjoy many long walks, companionship and the memory of many successful police events such as the seizure of dings, the rousting of burglars, and searches big and small; and,
WHERAS, as an avid Cub fan, Bill is a 20 year season ticket holder to Wrigley Field and eagerly awaits that elusive championship and if and when that day comes, Bill might be able to say that his life is complete; and,
WHEREAS, during his retirement, Bill plans to travel, whether to see his beloved Cubs play in other cities or Las Vegas, a city where Bill enjoys many hands of three card poker; and,
WHEREAS, a celebration honoring Bills' service to the Citizens of the City of Chicago will be held on March 20lh at Palermos in Oak Lawn, where he will be joined by his extensive and loving family members, friends and fellow officers; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and members of the Chicago City Council assemble this ninth day of March, 2011, do hereby congratulate William "Bill" Liva on his twenty five years of service to the Chicago Police Department, and do hereby express our best wishes for his continued happiness success and achievement; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to William "Bill" Liva.
Alderman, 19th Ward