Opinion
By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor, Southwest Chicago Post
Managing Editor, Southwest Chicago Post
Say their names.
Then say them again.
CPD officers who gave their lives in service to us all.
All five honored by muralist Milt Coronado in a beautiful new work of art on the east side of the building at 6455 W. Archer.
(Neighborhood old-timers recall the building as the former home of Daru Coins, starting in 1964, then later the Chicago Coin Company.)
Here's a good look at the mural, courtesy of Milt Coronado via TikTok:
Coronado, a full-time social worker by day, started the mural in early May and worked on it when his schedule and the weather allowed. He finished in late June.
A dedication of the mural was held recently. It included Coronado and family and friends of the five officers, as well as Midway-area business, civic, police and political leaders.
Several people spoke, but perhaps none summed up the meaning of the mural better than 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn, who praised Coronado and added, "The message this mural sends is powerful: all of us must never forget these officers and the sacrifices they made."
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| (SWCP photo by Don Krukowski) |
He added, "[Garfield Ridge] is a special community. You don't see this kind of support for the police in most other parts of the city. The people here get it. They appreciate the work that those in law enforcement do every day to keep us safe, and they honor the sacrifices made by police."
Coronado's murals grace a number of buildings across the Southwest Side and beyond. But this is the first time he has used his talents to specifically honor police. He said a
conversation with a police officer friend gave him a deeper understanding and appreciation of what the men and women of law enforcement are up against--and it provided the spark of inspiration.
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| (Photo: Quinn & Guerrero-Cuellar Service Office) |
"There was a lot of emotion involved in this," he said. "I wanted the mural to capture who these [police officers] were, so I spent time with their family members to get a better sense of their personalities."
Coronado himself raised all funds--both from corporations and individuals--to cover the costs (roughly $15,000) of producing the mural. He credited the Chicago F.C. (CPD's soccer club), the Brotherhood for the Fallen, The Home Depot and others for providing key support. He also thanked 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez for paying for an expensive but effective clear coating designed to protect the work of art from weather damage, as well as graffiti that may be scrawled by vandals.
He chose the 6455 W. Archer building at the suggestion of Midway Chamber of Commerce President Mary Ellen Brown. She worked with the building's landlord to secure permission.
"Milt is very talented--an amazing artist and person," she said. "He's my go-to guy for any kind of art. He did the mural at my business (Midway Storage, 5660 W. 55th Street)."
She added, "This mural will be seen by thousands of men, women and children, serving as a reminder to be appreciative of all that our police do every day."
Brown also said she witnessed firsthand the effect the mural can have have on police and their families.
"At the dedication, I was fortunate to talk with Aréanah Preston's mom," she recalled. "The mural seemed to have an overwhelming effect on her. It was emotional. It was a reminder that for many men and women in law enforcement, it's so much more than a job. It's a calling."
