Oak Park retires badge Star442, presents Police Cross in tribute to Detective Allen Redden Starr

Village leaders and police officials gathered at the start of the meeting to honor the life and service of Detective Allen Redden Starr of the Oak Park Police Department. Village Manager Jackson invited Chief Johnson to lead a retirement tribute; Chief Johnson introduced Joseph Leonas, president of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and chief of the Lincolnshire Police Department, to present the Police Cross.

Chief Joseph Leonas delivered remarks praising Detective Redden Starr’s service and sacrifice and said the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police presented the Police Cross to the family in recognition of “extraordinary heroism and ultimate sacrifice.” Chief Johnson accepted the cross on behalf of the family and announced that the department will retire badge Star442 so the number will not be reissued. He told trustees the badge will be permanently displayed in the police lobby along with other badges of officers who died in the line of duty.

Chief Johnson described additional memorial steps: an honorary patch will be worn “on the 20 ninth of each month and throughout the month of November” (as stated at the meeting) and a memorial decal will be placed on squad cars. He also gave service dates for Detective Redden Starr: he began with the department on 05/15/2019 and served more than 10,000 hours over five and a half years, receiving five departmental awards. Chief Johnson asked the public and the village to remember the officer and invited attendees to a brief reception in the police lobby following the meeting.

Ending: Trustees and staff moved briefly to recess after the ceremony; the memorial and the badge retirement were acknowledged again during the meeting’s closing remarks.