Jay Vincent’s father, Larry, was a Chicago police officer killed in the line of duty in 1983, when Jay was 8.
Larry had just turned 29 when he was killed by friendly fire as he was shot in the face during a burglary in progress on South Calumet Avenue.
“I remember that night very well,” Jay said.
Jay, the newest Palos Park commissioner who took over for retired G. Darryl Reed in June, also remembers very well the kindness that the 100 Club of Illinois had shown to his family providing financial assistance for Jay and his brothers for their education.
So, when the Palos Park Village Council voted on July 13 to pass a resolution proclaiming Aug. 27 of this year and in subsequent years as Hero Day in the village, it meant a lot to Vincent.
Hero Day coincides with the 60th anniversary of the 100 Club, which helps the family of fallen first responders.
“I really hope that other municipalities in the state of Illinois will think about making Aug. 27 as Hero Day,” said Vincent, a 100 Club of Illinois board member. “I hope that every village and municipality throughout the state will also vote for it.”
Palos Park Mayor Nicole Milovich-Walters said this recognition will be important and that “municipal staff, residents, businesses, schools and community organizations are encouraged to observe Hero Day through ceremonies, educational activities, moments of remembrance and other appropriate events honoring the courage, service and sacrifice of Illinois first responders.”
On the 30th anniversary of Jay’s father’s death, the 100 Club created the Larry J. Vincent Scholarship to help those students who need extra assistance.
“Usually, public schools can be 100% covered,” Jay said. “But with private schools, there is a little bit of extra that they need. So, we give out a small scholarship on an annual basis.”
While it was not easy for his family to grow up without a father, Vincent has turned the negative into a positive to help others, and he wants to give back to the 100 Club as much as he can.
“The organization has grown over the last 60 years,” Vincent said. “Its mission is supporting more than 208 students today with their educational activities – whether it’s at a university or graduate school or a trade school etc.
“Today, we are also helping officers who are still suffering from mental health difficulties from the extraordinarily taxing job they have with protecting the public.”
Your father would have been so proud of you. You and your brothers became wonderful men