Somber Illinois tradition resumes in Springfield

Posted on May 6, 2021
Gloria Bodnar, whose husband died in the line of duty in 1974, spoke Thursday during the ceremony. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – After a year off because of the coronavirus, and with a refurbished and improved statue standing behind them, police officers and families from around the state gathered for Illinois’ annual police memorial ceremony.

Gloria Bodnar, whose husband died in the line of duty in 1974, sums up a difficult two years for the men and women in blue: “They faced the virus, the protests, the riots,” she said, “and they were pelted with frozen water bottles, bricks, (and) bats, but they continued to do their job.”

The ceremony covered officers who died in 2019 and 2020.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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