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CHASE, John Glenn 1962-1988

CHASE, EATON

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 3/11/2014 at 23:24:15

John Glenn Chase Sept. 27 -1962 - Jan23, 1988

]Galveston Daily News, Friday, January 29, 1988, Galveston, Texas]

Des Moines, Iowa (AP) - Officer John Chase, who died a senseless death at the hands of a mentally ill vagrant in Dallas, was laid to rest Thursday in a snow-crusted cemetery here and eulogized as a galvanizing force for police support across the nation.

Nearly 1,000 people - including 145 officers from Dallis and about 500 more from police departments across the Midwest - came to bury Chase.

The Iowa native, a 24-year-old newlywed, was killed Saturday with his own gun by a homeless man who apparently was encouraged to shoot by a few bystanders.

The death douched off a wave of vigils and demonstrations of support for the Dallas police, who blamed frequent City Hall criticism of the police department for placing officers in danger. Since the, police say, Chase's brutal death has become a symbol of the dangers on the streets.

Police officials, their badges masked with black tape and a few carrying a single red rose, stood at attention, head bowed, as taps was played Thursday. Some wept quietly as Chase's parents, brother, wife and other family members huddled by his flag-draped coffin in prayer.

"John Chase did not live long enough," said the Rev. Duane Gibson, who had married Chase and Joni Eaton just three months earlier. "But John Chase lived long enough to call to citizens for a renewal of spirit and attitude toward law enforcement;

"John is a symbol for you, whether you are an officer or citizen. He calls you to a new challenge - a challenge to restore the confidence and integrity of the people of the United States," said Gibson, senior minister at the First Baptist Church in Des Moines.

Chase, born in Cedar Falls and a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, there, left Iowa for police work in Dallas, something he had always wanted to pursue. His wife is from Des Moines.

Chase had stopped a driver on a traffic violation Saturday. While writing a ticket, he was approached by Carl Williams, a homeless man with a history of mental illness. The two ended up in a fight, and Williams grabbed Chase's gun and held it over him

Some witnesses told police that Chase begged for his life while a few bystanders urged Williams to fire. He did, and was later killed after he shot at other officers.

Thursday's show of support by officers from Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana as well as Texas created a funeral procession of some 120 squad cars, four buses and dozens of other vehicles.

At the cemetery adjacent to a field, bells quietly touched the crisp air as 11 rows of officers stood at attention. Dallas officers fired a 21-gun salute for their colleague, the second officer killed on duty there in two weeks.

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Burial at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa.


 

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