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HONORING OUR FALLEN

ALWAYS REMEMBER | NEVER FORGET

BLUE 815 began as an effort to rename the Morgan Street Bridge (pictured left) in Rockford, IL to be the Police Memorial Bridge.  This beautiful structure, in a historic location, was lit up blue in the wake of Officer Jaimie Cox's line-of-duty death in November 2017.  Though our city and bridge committee members could not reach an agreement, we still believe this bridge is a beautiful tribute to our fallen when it is lit up blue, and we still believe in honoring, remembering, and never forgetting those behind the badge who gave all for the safety of our community. This bridge symbolizes our efforts to bridge our citizens and law enforcement.  

BLUE 815 vows to always honor and never forget our fallen. 

HONORING OUR FALLEN: What We Do
HONORING OUR FALLEN: Image
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REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN OFFICERS

from departments across Winnebago County, Illinois

and others that directly impacted our community

28 January 2024

K9 NYX

Rockford Police Department 

Surviving Handler: Officer John Vargas

15 November 2021

OFFICER DANIEL DALY

Beloit, WI Police Dept (FT)

Rockton, IL Police Dept (PT)

Age: 48

Badge #158

27 December 2020

K9 LOKI

Boone County Sheriff's Office 

Surviving Handler: Deputy Robert Rosenkranz

28 March 2019

TROOPER BROOKE JONES-STORY

Illinois State Police, District 16

Age: 34

Badge #5966

7 March 2019

DEPUTY JACOB KELTNER

McHenry County Sheriff's Office

Age: 35

Badge #1879

5 November 2017

OFFICER JAIMIE COX

Rockford Police Department

Age: 30

Badge #68

3 August 2001

DETECTIVE KEVIN D. RICE, SR.

Rockford Police Department

Age: 38

Badge #157

31 December 1980

OFFICER RANDALL A. BLANK

Rockford Police Department

Age: 23

Badge #236

27 October 1977

POLICE CHIEF ARTHUR WESTON

Rockton Police Department

Age: 52

Badge # Unknown

15 March 1974

DEPUTY MICHAEL MAYBORNE

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office

Age:  28

Badge # Unknown

1 June 1972

OFFICER CHARLES WILLIAMS

Rockford Police Department

Age: 28

Badge #187

15 April 1965

DEPUTY WILLIAM GOLDY

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office

Age: 40

Badge # Unknown

16 September 1946

DEPUTY HOWARD H. SMITH

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office

Age: 33

Badge # Unknown

17 April 1938

DEPUTY JOHN GERMANO

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office

Age: 34

Badge # Unknown

27 September 1936

DEPUTY SAMUEL ROTELLO

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office

Age: 26

Badge # Unknown

22 September 1927

OFFICER ARTHUR H. BASSETT

Rockford Police Department

Age:  29 

Badge #52

25 February 1927

OFFICER FRANK CICHELLA

Rockford Police Department

Age:  36

Badge #29

12 October 1917

OFFICER LORENZO GILLOGLY

Rockford Police Department 

Age:  38

Badge #21

11 November 1856

SHERIFF JOHN F. TAYLOR

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office

Age: 31

Badge # Unknown

HONORING OUR FALLEN: List

WE MOURN, HONOR, AND REMEMBER K9 NYX

K9 Nyx, first female K9 of the Rockford, IL Police Department, was killed in the line of duty on Sunday, 01.28.24. 
We are keeping Officer Vargas (her handler) and his wife in our thoughts along with her beloved BLUE family.
K9 Nyx is a hero whose service and sacrifice to our community will never be forgotten.

HONORING OUR FALLEN: Text
HONORING OUR FALLEN: Pro Gallery

FALLEN OFFICER
MEMORIAL BENCH

Located at Rockford Police Department District 3

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HONORING OUR FALLEN: Welcome
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John 15:13

“Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

HONORING OUR FALLEN: Quote

WE REMEMBER - "FREEDOM ON"

Joseph "Kelly" Lazo (far left), Joseph "Joe" Paglia (middle), and Michael White (right)


Niles Police Department | Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Chicago Chapter 

Sgt. Lazo and Retired Detective Paglia along with Community Service Officer Michael White of Niles PD and all members of the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Chicago Chapter were celebrating their MC's anniversary in Kerr County, Texas on July 18, 2020 when a northbound drunk driver swerved and hit several members of their club who were heading southbound after going out to lunch. Paglia and White were killed instantly in the crash. Lazo was seriously injured and succumbed to his injuries on July 31, 2020.  

BLUE 815 collected donations from the Rockford community throughout August 2020 and were able to donate blessing bags for each officer of the Niles Police Department in their honor. 

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HONORING OUR FALLEN: Who We Are
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