FOP Chicago Lodge 7 Magazine

The @FOP7Chicago members attended the @GLFOP 65th National conference in Indianapolis. Our magazine is providing exclusive coverage of the event, so keep a look out for our upcoming issue!

The city and nation are mourning the loss of @Chicago_Police officer Ella French who was killed in the line of duty. Our upcoming issue highlights the funeral and the many tributes to French and her partner, Carlos Yanez Jr., who was injured from the same incident. Coming soon!

@ChicagoCAPS11 Sgt Daniel Allen noticed community members repeatedly raising concerns like narcotics & prostitution at the beat meetings. He decided the best way to promote safety within the community would be to walk with them — literally — with community safety walks.

“I think there was this whole idea before that if you weren’t part of this club, you weren’t welcome here. Now, with the board that has taken over, they have made it more open to everybody.” Unit 650 Detective Erin Jones on attending Lodge 7 monthly general meetings. Page 38.

The @FOP7Chicago Mobile Kitchen is coming to a district near you this summer! On Page 6, President John Catanzara announces a 32-foot trailer that will be equipped to hold barbecues, community events and provide aid to officers throughout the state & country.

Members tracked down a $22,000 flute lost on the Blue Line on Jan. 29 for @DonaldRabin. Rabin then created Uniting America, a virtual concert featuring musicians representing each of the 50 states to fundraise for @cpdmemorial & other nonprofits. unitingamericaconcert.com

@FOP7Chicago members remember Chicago Police Officer Harold Bone, who lost his battle to cancer on March 17. He was known for his enticing personality and supernatural cop abilities. In Memoriam with comments from friends and colleagues begins on Page 42.

Our April #CoverStory underscores the @FOP7Chicago efforts to provide mental health and wellness resources for members. “The information is there,” First Vice President Michael Mette recognizes. “We just have to get it to our members better.” On Page 33.

In his April report, your @FOP7Chicago First Vice President Michael Mette assures that Lodge 7 will be working more closely with the Department and EAP to come up with and act on better ways to help our members deal with the traumas officers experience.

In John Catanzara's President Report, he tells a close-to-home story about the importance of taking care of your mental health as a law enforcement officer.

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“I try to be that good person to the younger guys, hoping that they have a good attitude and then that they’ll be the same guy down the line.” Fernando Velez was hired in 1991 only six months after turning 21. Turn to page 22 for his story.

If your New Year’s resolution is to enrich your prayer life, then please take note of this information from Father Dan Brandt:

The EAP assesses state of officers' mental health for 2021. The Professional Counseling Division wants to continue delivering programs that focus on wellness as a daily practice, not just a reaction in a state of crisis.

Turn to Page 23 for some well-timed advice on staying young and cherishing every moment from Rabbi Moshe Wolf.

The @FOP7Chicago 2020 vision has put an urgent focus on member involvement and participation for 2021. It’s time for all members to raise their voices, and if they do, the benefits could unprecedented. This special report begins on Page 25.

Kicking off the new year by honoring Lodge 7 Magazine's #2020PersonOfTheYear, Zechariah Cartledge. He started #Running4Heroes, in which he runs one mile for first responders lost in the line of duty and raises money for families. Since 2019, he's run 787 miles and counting.

@FOP7Chicago members work to dismantle domestic violence across the city in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month. Our November issue covers these initiatives, with comments from the @ChicagoCAPS10 and @ChicagoCAPS11 domestic violence liaison officers

@dscampana writes: "Just when the Chicago postseason bubble burst with quick October exits by the Cubs and White Sox, the CPD Finest proved to be the baseball heroes the city needed and deserved." @Chicago_Police Finest play in Police and Fire World Series to great victory!

The fourth annual Valor Awards garnered a crowd of 500 viewers across five platforms on Oct. 22 with the hard work of @cpdmemorial. Check out the November issue for the stories of 16 officers who received this year's award.