A Simple Gesture: Police Department and Interim Chief Honor Mike O'Connell's Memory

The . Now, his family has one more to remember him by.

"He just loved them," his wife, Barb O'Connell said Tuesday, when presented with a handful of caps made specially for her family by the . "These ones will go in a very special place."

She clutched the black-colored hats in her chair at the and carefully ran her fingers over their embroidery. More than four months have passed since . He had been at the helm of the police department since 1995.

As a , it's become abundantly clear to me how much he meant to . People mention him to me often, and I hear his name spoken by passersby. Perhaps I will now see this tribute to Mike being worn on the street.

The custom caps feature the department's emblem on the front and a shamrock —a nod to O'Connell's obvious Irish heritage—on the back with the letters "MOC."

They're not being sold and there were only a select number created, officials said. Having them made may seem like a small token of appreciation, but when presented them to Barb at Tuesday's village board meeting, he did it with heart.

"They carry a lot of history with them because of Mike and what he did for our village," Valois said. " … We thought it was the least we could do."

The fact is, nothing will bring O'Connell back. But we can do simple things to honor his memory every day. Now Barb, and her daughter, Colleen—she was also present Tuesday—have one more way to take him with them, wherever they may go.

"The village, the community and the police department has been incredible in honoring Mike in a very special way," Barb said, with tears in her eyes. "We couldn't be more appreciative."

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