Chicagoland

Englewood school celebrates first responders

By Karen Callaway | Chicago Catholic
Thursday, August 16, 2018

Englewood school celebrates first responders

Members of the Chicago Police Department joined the Academy of St. Benedict the African, located in Chicago’s West Englewood neighborhood, for its third annual end-of-summer barbecue Aug. 8, 2018 to thank the first responders for keeping students and staff safe in the often-violent neighborhood. The school’s students and staff have developed special relationships with District 7 police officers particularly with Officer Mike Cleary, who has made daily visits to the school for the past 12 years. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A volunteer serves food to a Chicago police officer during the barbecue. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon LeRoy Gill blesses members of the Chicago Police Department at the start of the barbecue on Aug. 8. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)
Chicago Police Officer Mike Cleary receives food from a volunteer. Cleary has made daily visits to the school for the past 12 years, even on his days off, to make sure the students are safe. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Because of a threat of rain, the barbecue was held in the school gym. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
(Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
An officer looks in on children playing in the bounce house. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Patricia Murphy, the academy's longtime principal, talks with officers. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Deacon Gill, who operated the grill for the barbecue, laughs with an officer. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Students and an officer play basketball during the Aug. 8 barbecue. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
(Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Dessert included a cake thanking the first responders. (Joyce Duriga/Chicago Catholic)

Members of the Chicago Police Department joined the Academy of St. Benedict the African, located in Chicago’s West Englewood neighborhood, for its third annual end-of-summer barbecue Aug. 8, 2018 to thank the first responders for keeping students and staff safe in the often-violent neighborhood. The school’s students and staff have developed special relationships with District 7 police officers particularly with Officer Mike Cleary, who has made daily visits to the school for the past 12 years. 

Topics:

  • catholic schools
  • gun violence

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