Former Algonquin Police Chief Russell Laine Dies

By LMCS Staff Report, the Lake & McHenry County Scanner | August 25, 2021 3:26 pm

Russell Laine, the former police chief for the Fox Lake and Algonquin police departments, has died, officials announced. He had 38 years of law enforcement service and was a Vietnam veteran.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of retired Chief of Police Russell Laine,” the Algonquin Police Department said on social media on Tuesday.

Laine was the police chief for the Algonquin Police Department from 1985 until his retirement in 2014.

He also served as the police chief in Bartlett and Fox Lake, along with Edgerton, Wisconsin.

Laine served as President of the McHenry County Chiefs of Police Association during his tenure in Algonquin.

He was a founding member of the Algonquin-LITH Rotary Club and a former Treasurer and Board Member of the Club.

He served on the McHenry County Communities Against Gangs and was a past member of the McHenry County Child Advocacy Board and a member of the Sherman Health Care Advisory Board.

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In November 2007, Laine received the Law Enforcement Recognition Award from the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence.

He also served as president of both the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Laine was “instrumental” in introducing the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics in Algonquin and McHenry County and also served on the Board of Directors for Illinois Special Olympics.

According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Laine is a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as an infantry medic with the First Cavalry Division in Vietnam. He received the Combat Medics Badge, a Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars for Valor during his service.

“Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time,” the Algonquin Police Department said.

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A Celebration of Life service will be held on September 18 at 1 p.m. at the Light of Christ Church, 1700 Longmeadow Parkway in Algonquin.

Those who are unable to attend or prefer to attend virtually can watch a live stream on the Light of Christ Facebook page.

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