RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, on December 27,1968, Officer Joseph Francis Ferguson and his partner, Officer Daniel Cambric, stopped three men on the 3000 block of South Indiana Avenue to question them; and
WHEREAS, The officers recognized one man as a parolee and another as a narcotics user; and
WHEREAS, A gunfight erupted, with four shots striking Officer Ferguson; and
WHEREAS, He was transported to Michael Reese Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds; and
WHEREAS, Joseph Francis Ferguson, Star #6892, aged 25 years, was a 3 year, 6 month, 13 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 2nd District - Wabash; and
WHEREAS, Joseph was born May 17,1943, and grew up in the McKinley Park neighborhood on Chicago's southwest side; and
WHEREAS, He graduated Kelly High School where he met his wife, Tanya Vegel; and
WHEREAS, Becoming a police officer was a lifelong dream of Joseph's and he received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department in 1965; and
WHEREAS, Officer Ferguson earned 1 Award of Valor (Posthumously), 1 Blue Star Award (Posthumously) and 4 Honorable Mentions during his short career; and
WHEREAS, As a husband, father, police officer, and vital member of his community and our city, Joseph touched the lives of all who knew him with his kindness, generosity, and spirit; and
WHEREAS, He is deeply missed, but the memory of his character, intelligence, and compassion lives within his beloved wife Tanya Vegel, his son Joseph F. Ferguson, his daughter Elizabeth Ferguson, and in all those who knew and loved him; and
WHEREAS, the Chicago City Council has been informed of his tragic death by Alderman George A. Cardenas; and
WHEREAS, The legacy of Joseph's dedication, strength, perseverance, 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, honor this heroic and honored public servant that gave his life to prote...
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