Riverdale Honors 2 Fallen Cops
RIVERDALE, Ill. (CBS) -- They were killed in the line of duty and now the Riverdale Police Department is honoring their memories.
"We gather here today to pay homage to police officers who have given their lives, so that we may live in safety," said Riverdale Police Chief William McHenry.
CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports that Riverdale Police Detective William "Wally" Rolniak, Jr. and Officer Thomas Alan Cook were honored by having streets on either side of the Riverdale Police Department named after them.
Plaques will also be hung in their memory inside the police station. Both officers were killed in the line of duty.
Cook's wife Pamela said her husband was a very quiet man, who would be taken aback by Saturday's celebration.
"He really didn't like people talking about him very much. He didn't think he deserved it and today would be an honor because I think, he really deserved it," she said.
"I just hope everyone remembers his smiling face and, you know, what every officer does out there. They do their job. They go out and, you know what, you don't know when they're not going to come home," said Rolniak's wife, Maureen.
In 2004, Rolniak was shot by a man in custody. Police said the person took Rolniak as a hostage in the police station.
The man grabbed Rolniak's gun and shot him execution style, in the head. He then aimed the gun at other officers and refused to drop it. He was then shot and killed by police.
Cook served as a Riverdale officer before joining the Metra Transit Police. In 2006, Cook was doing surveillance at a Metra station in Harvey that had seen a rise in armed robberies. He was shot and killed while sitting in his patrol car. A suspect has been charged in his death.
"When they woke that day, in February and September, they didn't know, that they were not going to go home to see their families, they had no idea and so it's very important to also let the families know, that we did not and have not, forgotten them," said Riverdale Police Deputy Chief Philip Stephens.
"We're going to continue to honor these two guys. We're going to work along with the police department, to make sure there is something they want, each and every year to honor these two great officers," said Riverdale Mayor Deyon Dean.
Between them, both officers left behind four children.
Maureen Rolniak had been married to her husband for 15 years. Pamela Cook was just one month shy of celebrating her 11 year wedding anniversary.
Cook's father once served as the Riverdale Police Chief.
