On Saturday, May 24, 2015, Jennifer Morales, Tampico, IL, sent Whiteside County Sheriff’s Sergeant Kristopher Schmidt an email. She asked if a Deputy could attend the Tampico Middle School 8th grade promotion ceremony, on Tuesday, May 26, and shake her daughter’s hand. “[I was] just hoping someone could stop by and let her know that, even though her father was killed in the line of duty, his sacrifice would not be forgotten. What they did was just amazing.”
Sergeant Schmidt began to send emails on Tuesday morning for the evening program. Even with short notice, the response from law enforcement was impressive.
Meghan’s late father, Marlon Francisco Morales, was unable to attend this rite of passage. Not one, but a supportive contingent of 20, law enforcement representatives attended in his stead. They sat in the gymnasium in reserved seating, waiting until Meghan’s name was called to receive her certificate. As she walked forward, so did the 20 law enforcement members, forming a reception line of well-wishers for this Honor Roll student.
Click here to watch Meghan meet her supporters.
Officer Morales, age 32, was a United States Army Gulf War veteran who had been employed with the Metro Transit Police Department in Washington, D. C. for six months. He was in pursuit of a fare jumper, when the man turned and unexpectedly shot Morales in the face. He lay in critical condition for three days, before succumbing to his wound. Officer Morales’s “End of Watch” was Wednesday, June 13, 2001. He is survived by his wife, two sons, Jeramy and Josh, and daughter Meghan.
Sergeant Schmidt stated he knew the Morales family through the National and local “Concerns of Police Survivors” (C.O.P.S.) chapters. For the past two years, law enforcement and Culver’s held fundraisers for families of officers killed in the line of duty. “This year we raised $1100,” he added. Law enforcement agencies inform families of this resource. Monies fund summer camps, counseling, or help with physical or mental needs.
The nationalcops.org website states, “C.O.P.S. provides Hands-On Programs designed specifically for each survivorship to help rebuild their shattered lives. These programs allow survivors to receive support from peers who know how they feel, attend seminar sessions specifically designed for their needs, and obtain resources to help them on their journey of grief and coping. Our programs are held in a relaxed setting that is removed from the stressors of everyday life and are free for survivors to attend. The only cost to the survivors is their travel to and from the program.”
The programs reach all ages of family and co-workers. “Adult Children’s Retreat is planned for surviving adult children and their spouse/domestic partner, ages 21 and over. Kids Camp is planned for surviving children ages 6-14 and their parent/guardian. The Outward Bound ® Adventure is planned for surviving children ages 15-20. Young Adults Camp is planned for surviving children and siblings ages 15-20. Fiancés/Significant Others Retreat is planned for surviving Fiancés, Significant Others, and Life Partners of the fallen officer. Siblings Retreat planned for surviving siblings and their spouse/domestic partner, ages 21 and over. Spouses Getaway is planned for the surviving spouse of the fallen officer. Co-Workers Retreat is planned for surviving co-workers, active or retired. Co-Workers for Couples Retreat is planned for surviving co-workers and their spouse/domestic partner, active or retired. Extended Family Retreat is planned for surviving In-Laws, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins; ages 21 and over. Parents Retreat is planned for the surviving parents of the fallen officer.
Shown left-to-right with Meghan Morales are three Illinois State Police; three Whiteside County Sheriff’s Deputies and one Mounted Police member; seven local Police Departments. They include, front row: Prophetstown, IL, Chief of Police Bruce Franks; Meghan; Sterling, IL, Sergeant Sarah Schmidt; Whiteside Sergeant Kristopher Schmidt; row two: Trooper Jeff Manley; Tampico Chief of Police Terry Strike; Whiteside Deputy Rollie Elder; Albany, IL, Chief of Police Wyatt Heyvaert; Erie, IL, Chief of Police Will Lukehart; row three: Trooper Sergeant Mike Steele; Trooper Master Sergeant Eric VanDyke; Police Officers Chad Hermes (Rock Falls, IL,), Lt. Brad Sibley (Dixon, IL,), and Mark Dallas (Dixon); row four: Erie Police Officers Kristian Montanez and Jake Jordan; Police Officer Jerod Reynolds (Prophetstown); Whiteside Deputy Sean Coutts; row five: Whiteside Mounted Patrol Drew Wilkens; Sterling Police Officers Josh Weber and Ben Tuttle.
There was just enough room left in the front row for the spirit of Marlon Morales.