Amid the ceremonial trappings that befit someone hailed as a fallen hero, the life of Park Forest police Officer Tim Jones was celebrated Saturday before a crowd of close to 1,000 people, including police officers from an estimated 30 police departments in the Chicago area.
Pomp and circumstance were not forgotten as the arrival of police officers was ushered in with a salute by the Chicago Police Department’s Bagpipes & Drums of the Emerald Society.
The event was held at Tinley Park High School, the school from which Jones graduated in 2009.
Jones, 34, died Dec. 3, nearly 10 years after he was critically wounded in deadly confrontation with an angry home invader March 19, 2016. Officers accompanying Jones killed the intruder.
Park Forest officials, clergy, relatives and friends all took part in Saturday’s observance.
“This day we celebrate his life” said Park Forest Mayor Joe Woods. “He gave so much with so little urging. We celebrate this superhero who gave everything. Tim did not lose his life. He gave it to an entire community.”
Former Mayor John Ostenburg said Jones was “a true hometown hero.”
“The shooting galvanized the community,” former Park Forest village manager Tom Mick told the crowd. “He became known by his first name alone.”
“He carried himself with quiet strength,” said Park Forest police Chief Brian Rzyski.
At the time of the shooting, Tim’s father, William Jones, was the Country Club Hills police chief and the person who pinned the badge on his son when he was sworn into office.
The badge No. 204 became a link between the community and its police. Three days after the shooting at a fundraiser at a Matteson restaurant to defray family expenses, hundreds of people over a four-hour period purchased both food and a blue T-shirt emblazoned with his number. A police car with his badge number on it became part of the village’s fleet.
Village officials never seemed to forget Jones. In 2021, he was given the rank of detective and a Tim Jones honorary street sign was placed on Forest Boulevard adjacent to the police station. His Police Department desk and his locker will remain a permanent symbol of his sacrifice.
Following the 2016 shooting, Jones was airlifted to the Level One trauma unit in Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was met by more than 200 police officers of all ranks and from dozens of departments, lining the halls in a silent tribute.
Doctors told Jones’ father there was almost no hope for any recovery. One told Tim Jones’ father the odds of winning the Power Ball were better than of him living one more day.
Tinley Park High School had posters paying tribute to Jones, and large placards with his picture proclaiming “real heroes don’t need a cape” were given to attendees.
After his death, 75 people were helped through organ donation, it was reported in the program.
Jerry Shnay is a freelance columnist for the Daily Southtown.