CONGRATULATIONS EXTENDED TO JAMES M. POLACEK ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, Captain James M. Polacek, an outstanding public servant and member of his community, will retire from the Chicago Fire Department on December 31, 2013; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by the Honorable Matthew O'Shea, Alderman of the 19th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Though having earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Knox College and a Master's Degree in Hospital Administration from Governor's State University, James chose to serve the people of Chicago by joining the Fire Department on March 1, 1980 beginning his illustrious and variegated career; and
WHEREAS, Captain Jim rose from Firefighter to Engineer, earned the rank of Lieutenant and ultimately became a Captain of the "East Side Alley Rats" at Engine 74, while having served the Department at Engine 30 and Engine 123, as well as in its Research & Planning and Manpower divisions, in its Office of Fire Investigation, the Fire Prevention Bureau and as an officer in Air Sea Rescue; and
WHEREAS, While for Captain Jim, the world's culinary treasures will never quite satisfy as deeply as fire house cuisine, it will prove impossible to savor a bowl of popcorn in front of a big-screen television as fully as when in the company of the "Alley Rats," and the sound of a bell will forever roil the blood of the old fire dog; and
WHEREAS, A long-time resident of the Nineteenth Ward, Captain Jim proudly and honorably extended a familial tradition of public service begun by his late father, John, a Detective for the Chicago Police Department; and continued by his brother, John, a retired Managing Editor with the Office of the City Clerk; his sister-in-law, Hollis, an Administrator with the Illinois Department of Revenue and the Illinois Department of Employment Security; his late uncle, Val, and cousin, Bill, both retired Chicago Police Officers; and
WHEREAS, Captain Jim has devoted over...
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