Sunday Fundraiser for Police Officer Shot, Wounded in 2015

OAK PARK, IL — A fundraiser will be held Aug. 7 to benefit an Oak Park police officer who hasn't been able to return to work since he was shot multiple times on May 3, 2015.

John Patterson, a 25-year veteran of the Oak Park Police Department, was leaving for work on that Sunday morning when he was shot twice in an attempted robbery.

Two teenagers were arrested and charged in connection with the robbery and shooting.

Patterson has been cleared by his doctor to return to active police duty, according to the Oak Park Police Department Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8, but the village of Oak Park requires him to have more tests done at Loyola Medical Center at his expense.

“John Patterson honorably served with the Oak Park Police Department for more than 25 years before he was shot twice on May 3, 2015 by two men who attempted to rob him as he left home for work,” said FOP Lodge # 8 President James Hawkinson in a statement. “John has had a long and difficult recovery. The Village of Oak Park stopped paying him on May 1, 2016 because he has used up all of his sick and vacation time to recover from what is officially considered by them to be an off-duty incident. We hope the August 8 fundraiser will help John through these difficult times.”

The Pistol Shoot and Dinner Fundraiser for Officer John Patterson will help him pay for the testing and other medical expenses and his lost wages since May 1 of this year.

The pistol shoot will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 7, with dinner, cash bar and door prizes from 6 to 11 p.m. at the Villa Park VFW Post 2801 at 39 E. St. Charles Road.

Tickets for the pistol shoot are $10, and dinner tickets are $30. Tickets can be bought at the door the night of the event.

Those who would like to participate in the competitive pistol shoot must provide their own firearm and ammunition, have a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card, and observe all laws regarding firearm transport.

The event is sponsored by Oak Park Police Department Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 8, and VFW Post 2801 is donating the venue and the food.

Donations may be made online though a gofundme account.