RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Officer Michael Lappe has announced his retirement from the Chicago Police Department following nearly 40 years of distinguished service; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Born and raised in the Austin community on the West Side of Chicago, Officer Michael Lappe was one of ten children; and
WHEREAS, Officer Michael Lappe joined the Chicago Police Department as a civilian member of the Mass Transit Unit in 1978 and in 1980 graduated from the Police Education and Training Division; and
WHEREAS, As a sworn member of the department, Officer Michael Lappe worked as a police officer in the 20th, 25th 11th and 16th Districts as well as the Bureau of Administrative Services and the Education and Training Division of the Bureau of Professional Services; and
WHEREAS, Officer Michael Lappe was shot and wounded in the performance of his duties on April 24, 1988 while responding to a domestic disturbance call; and
WHEREAS, The bullet entered Officer Michael Lappe's throat and resulted in a spinal cord injury that temporarily left him a paraplegic; and
WHEREAS, Officer Michael Lappe was eventually able to recover the use of his legs and leave his wheelchair behind; and
WHEREAS, Officer Michael Lappe returned to work on a limited duty basis and was assigned to the Neighborhood Relations office of the 16th District where he received numerous chamber awards and established the enormously popular "Take A Kid Fishing Day," which has now been implemented in the Chicago Park District and all 25 of the City's districts through its community policing units; and
WHEREAS, In 1996 Officer Michael Lappe along with fellow officers injured in the line of duty founded the Police Survivors organization; and
WHEREAS, Officer Michael Lappehas was twice elected to serve as a member of the Policemen's Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago and has worked tirelessly on disability and pension issues; and
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