Service Held for Slain Officer Francis

Exactly one year after Chicago Police Officer Richard M. Francis was fatally shot by a woman after a disturbance on a CTA bus, about 50 police officials returned to the scene to honor his memory.

Belmont District police Lt. Jack Schulz organized the memorial, which included bagpipers from the Emerald Society playing Amazing Grace. Schulz described the memorial as very short, but “very emotional.”

“Exactly at 2 a.m. a year ago today he was murdered,” according to Schulz, who said about 50 police officials gathered where the shooting happened July 2, 2008 on the corner of North Western and West Belmont avenues, just outside the Belmont District police station at 2452 W. Belmont Ave.

“I called them to order, I ordered the salute and they [the bagpipers] started playing,” Schulz said.

Attendees included Belmont District Cmdr. John Kenny, Asst. Supt. for Law Enforcement Operations James Jackson, Deputy Supt. Bureau of Patrol Dan Dugan, Harrison Area Deputy Chief Wayne Gulliford and Chief of Bureau of Patrol Gene Williams.

Belmont District police Capt. James McGovern, who was the watch commander working the night of the incident, and several detectives were also in attendance.

Francis, who worked at the Belmont District station, was alone on patrol in a police car when a CTA bus driver flagged him down during a dispute on a bus outside the station.

When Francis -- a 27-year Chicago Police veteran -- confronted the woman, a struggle ensued and she allegedly grabbed his gun and shot him once in the head. He was pronounced about an hour later at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

Schulz said it was important to honor Francis so that no one forgets.

“We shouldn’t forget what happened on that day,” Schulz said. “He gave the ultimate sacrifice for the city of Chicago.”

Robin Johnson was charged with first-degree murder, one count of disarming a police officer and four counts of attmped murder in connection with the shooting.