A generous spirit mourned
Family, colleagues remember Chicago Heights police Officer Gary Hibbs
Friends and family of Officer Gary Hibbs filed in and out of the Panozzo Brothers Funeral Home in Chicago Heights Thursday night.
It would be the last time they would see Hibbs, a 25-year veteran of the Chicago Heights police force, who died March 12, eight days after collapsing while responding to a domestic disturbance call.
A law enforcement walk through was held during the wake, giving fellow officers the opportunity to pay their respects. Saturday morning’s funeral includeFried a procession from the funeral home to St. Kieran Church on 195th Street, including a mile-long line of police vehicles from the region. Residents came out to pay their respects as the procession passed.
“I grew up with him in the Holbrook neighborhood,” said Lisa Lueder. “We had a tight group of friends in the neighborhood. He was very, very caring.”
Lueder said Hibbs was the sort of person who, even as a young man, would always help other people.
“I don’t know how he was able to do so much,” she said. “But he’d do it for everybody.”
She said in later years, Hibbs volunteered playing Santa. Even though she would not see her childhood friend for months or longer as an adult, when she did it was as if no time had passed, she said. Lueder said it hurt when she heard he had died.
“I was devastated,” she said. “I heard it on an airplane, on the way to Florida, when I got the texts. When I heard he had passed, I cried my whole vacation.”
Colleagues also recalled Hibbs’ generous spirit. “He was not only a great police officer, he was a great friend,” said David Lux, a retired Homewood police
officer who had known Hibbs since high school. “He was a friend to many, many people. He even treated the bad guys with respect.”
As an officer, Hibbs worked as a leader and mentor. Colleagues said he was particularly good as a weapons instructor and as a member of the South Suburban Emergency Response Team, an elite group of officers called on the worst situations.
But it was training that maybe brought Hibbs the most professional joy.
“This whole job is nothing but stress,” Lux said. “Your whole life is nothing but stress and you have to deal with that in different ways. His way was through training.”
He said everybody loved working with Hibbs and, despite the stress, Lux said it was always clear Hibbs loved what he did.
“He was a complete officer,” Lux said. “He loved doing the job and it showed.”
Retired officer Brian Smith worked with Hibbs on the Chicago Heights Police Department and on the emergency response team.
“Me and him were like brothers,” Smith said. “We did everything together.”
He recalled Hibbs was always willing to help out, even after hours.
“He was always happy, always smiling,” Smith said.
“If you needed something he’d show up at your house later on with it.”
Smith said he spent about five hours at the funeral home paying his respects. In that time he estimated maybe 1,000 officers filing in and out.
“People say ‘he’s one of the best,’ ” said Officer Al Maciareillo from Riverwoods. “But Gary was the best.”
He took home his love of the job and five years ago, Hibbs’ son, Jimmy, joined the force.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Maciareillo said. “It gives me hope. His son is doing phenomenal as a police officer. He’s got his father’s mentality and he treats everyone with the same respect.”