HR1281 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1281 LRB097 23353 MST 72198 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former Chicago police officer, Homewood Trustee, and Cook County State's Attorney investigator Ralph De Witt, who passed away on October 27, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Ralph DeWitt was born on July 1, 1949, in Chicago and grew up in the Hyde Park community; he served in the U.S. Army's First Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1970, earning a Purple Heart and other medals; and

WHEREAS, Ralph DeWitt married Cynthia in October of 1971, and had a daughter, Lauren; he earned a Criminal Justice degree from Chicago State University and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1991; and

WHEREAS, Ralph DeWitt began working with the Chicago Police Department in 1971, and rose to the rank of lieutenant; in 1991, he went to work for the Cook County State's Attorney's office as an investigator; and

WHEREAS, Ralph DeWitt moved to Homewood in 1998, and was elected as a village trustee in 2001; he was the first black Trustee for the Village of Homewood; he was re-elected in 2005, serving until 2009; he volunteered on the Homewood Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, the Homewood Veterans' Committee, the Homewood 911 Emergency Board, and the Adler School of Professional Psychology Board; and

WHEREAS, Ralph DeWitt retired from the Cook County State's Attorney's office in December of 2011, to be the Homewood village manager, until stepping down in March of 2012; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ralph DeWitt, 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 Ralph DeWitt as an expression of our deepest sympathy.