Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Miss you my best bud. Think about the times we never had. You were the best.

Lt George Augustyn
CPD Retired

October 18, 2025

Mike,
40 years later I still honor you and wont forget you. You were a mentor to me while I was an explorer in Prospect Heights detail.
I am 57 yrs. old now with 27 years on. I will always be greatful to you and Don Slechta leading me in the right direction in life. Thank you !

Officer S.C. DeMaria
Coastline Public Safety Dept.

October 17, 2025

Mike, I never got the chance to meet you. But my dad always talked about you fondly. The crazy things you guys went through together on the streets. He was always smiling when he would tell the stories. Your and Kenny’s deaths were tragedies to my dad. Thank you for your service. May you RIP sir.

Tony Peluso
Son of Police Officer Joseph Peluso (Retired)

October 3, 2025

Mike, never forget you, your mentoring, I made 25 years on. RIP forever friend.

S.C. DE MARIA
FRIEND

October 17, 2023

The recent passing of retired Cook County Sheriff’s police Investigator John ‘Jack’ Reed August, 2023, brought you to mind. Jack worked to bring your murderers to justice; a diligent professional process I had the privilege of watching as he painstakingly and patiently brought to fruition. He made sure you did not die in vain.

Sergeant Michael Blackburn Retired
Cook Co Sheriff’s Police

August 22, 2023

Remembering Mike today. Blessed are the peacemakers. Won't forget you brother.

William Roscop
Mount Prospect Police

May 15, 2022

Mike, remembering you tonight as I watched the virtual candlelight vigil.

Tony Halachoulis
Mt. Prospect PD (RET)

May 13, 2020

Mike..... Your were always more mature than the rest of us. I think of you often. You were taken from us to soon. But God put you here for a reason. And the older I get, the more I understand what that reason was. I love you Mike.

David Koziol (friend)

February 29, 2020

Hard to believe it’s been 34 years. Seems like just yesterday. RIP Mike.

Tony Halachoulis
Mt. Prospect Police (Ret.)

October 19, 2019

I was a police officer at the Wheeling PD working the day shift. I responded with Officer Terry Swisher when Mike was shot. We responded to the scene and saw Mike down. It effected me deeply. Little did we know that that Nov 5, 1985 Officer Dawson also would be shot to death. After those incidents I became more dedicated to my law enforcement career.

Tony Cinquegrani Sgt. retired
Wheeling PD and Inverness PD

October 19, 2019

I have never forgotten what your friendship meant to my father I remember we had just arrived in Wyoming to go mule deer hunting when we got the horrible news we all drove in a van all the way from Chicago no one said a word we all knew we packed up everything immediately and drove straight back home I don’t think my father ever really got over it he always felt that maybe it could have turned out different if he was there

Michael T Coakley
Jimmys son

January 3, 2019

Mike , 32 years later I still remember you and looking up to you as an explorer. I will have 20 years on my dept. soon as an officer. I'm sure you have many friends in heaven like you did down here.

Steve DeMaria
Friend

October 17, 2017

Mike , 32 years later I still remember you and looking up to you as an explorer. I will have 20 years on my dept. soon as an officer. I'm sure you have many friends in heaven like you did down here.

Steve DeMaria
Friend

October 17, 2017

Mike , 32 years later I still remember you and looking up to you as an explorer. I will have 20 years on my dept. soon as an officer. I'm sure you have many friends in heaven like you did down here.

Steve DeMaria
Friend

October 17, 2017

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

September 19, 2016

Mike,
Remembering you today, on the 30th anniversary of your murder. You were a friend, a Brother in Blue and an outstanding police officer. You sacrificed your life and saved at least one other that day. Bless you and your family, always.

Investigator Kimberley Nagel (RET)
Mount Prospect P.D.

October 18, 2015

Its been 30 years. I still remember ride alongs and talks we had, when I was a teen in the explorer program in the Prospect Heights detail. it was because of you and the other CCSPD officers, I lived an honest, law abiding life and public safety career. Thank you!

Steve DeMaria

October 16, 2015

Mike,
I honor you on the anniversary of your passing. I will never forget you and the impact you made on my life, leading me in the right directions..

Steve DeMaria- Officer, Safety Dept.
Santiago Canyon College-Orange, CA.

October 17, 2014

Mike I was a young 16 year old boy when you took me for ride alongs with the sheriff's explorers. Because of your guidance and mentorship I joined the Navy and had 20 successful years. Thank you! Greg Wilson

Chief Petty Officer
Friend

November 29, 2013

Mike, I still remember you. I lived a straight life because of you and other sheriffs police officers. The explorer program and friendship with you did it all ! Honoring you 28 years later!

Steve DeMaria-Officer
Santa Ana College Safety Dept. /Santa Ana, California

October 17, 2013

Rest in Peace, You and your family will forever be in our prayers.

Denis W. Murphy
Elk Grove Village

October 20, 2012

Mike, It has been 27 years today. I honor you and will never forget you !

Steve DeMaria -Santa Ana, CA.

October 17, 2012

Rest in Peace, Investigator Ridges. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

May 1, 2012

26 years ago today, we lost a fine police officer, and a wonderful human being. Still thinking of Mike, and his family. You will not be forgotten !

Sergeant Al Thompson (retired)
Cook County Sheriff's Police Dept.

October 18, 2011

Mike it has been 25 years. I still remember my time i was an explorer and rode along with all you guys. It's because of you and the other CCSPD prospect heights detail, I became law enforcement and lived a straight life. Thank you.

Officer Steve DeMaria
Santa Ana College Safety Department

October 18, 2010