Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of HR0163

HR0163 LRB104 12588 LAW 23169 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph Paul "Joe" Buford, who passed away on February 2, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Joe Buford was born in Chicago on August 24, 1966; he attended Chicago Vocational High School, where he was a music major, the first chair trombonist in the band, and a member of the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC); he was great at mastering his gift with music, later becoming an extraordinary DJ known as the "Chi Town Boy Wonder"; he received his Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1990, where he became a member of the Gamma Upsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated in 1989; and

WHEREAS, Joe Buford served in the U.S. Navy before later transferring to the U.S. Army, where he became a commissioned officer; he commanded multiple organizations at various levels throughout his career, and his military service included being stationed in Iraq; after 30 years of service, he served as a military police officer, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel; and

WHEREAS, Joe Buford started his law enforcement career with the Chicago Housing Authority in 1992; he proceeded to join the Chicago Police Department in 1994; he then moved to Vacaville, California in 1999, where he settled in the Bay Area while caring for his children and family; he worked for the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, where he retired as a lieutenant in 2024 after 25 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Joe Buford was a well-rounded man in terms of the activities and sports he pursed; he was a 32nd Degree Prince Hall Master Mason; he enjoyed watching the Chicago Bears and telling adventurous stories about his life; he loved traveling, bowling, and playing spades and dominoes; he also loved DJing, dancing, listening to music, and hanging out and laughing with family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Joe Buford was a man of faith, respectability, and pride and lived his life to its fullest potential, always presenting himself in an exemplary fashion, coordinating in color and style; he will be remembered for his infectious personality, kind heart, and loving, entertaining spirit; and

WHEREAS, Joe Buford was preceded in death by his parents, Carolyn McCall-Stroud and Rodger Hickman, and his siblings, Anthony Buford, Reginald McCall, Darnell Hickman, Kevin Hickman, and Satoy Robinson; and

WHEREAS, Joe Buford is survived by his children, Breana Buford and Joseph Buford II; his partner, Nichele; his stepchildren, Ebony Young, Alnita (William "Doug") Odom, and Marlon Simpson Jr.; his bonus children, Jamari Sanders and Makayla Walker; his siblings, Yonetta "Penny" (Bryant) Miller, Roger (Barbara) Hickman Jr., and Sanora Hickman; his sister-in-law, LaTisha (the late Reginald) McCall; his aunts, Jacqueline (Edward) Buford-Nightingale and Verna Hickman; his cousin/sister, Tanya "Tan" (Dwayne) Hellams; his cousin, Dr. Victor Buford; and a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and close friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Joseph Paul "Joe" Buford and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joe Buford as an expression of our deepest sympathy.