The Charity That Helped Fox Lake Cop's Family Asks For Its Money Back

By Kate Shepherd in News on Nov 5, 2015 5:10PM

Vigil is held for the fallen Fox Lake police officer Charles Joseph Gliniewicz as manhunt for his killers continues. By Marielle Shaw/Chicagoist

The family of now disgraced Fox Lake police officer Lt. Joe Gliniewicz received help and sympathy from the community following his strange, staged death.

Now the 100 Club, a Chicago-based organization that assists the families of first responders who have lost their lives in the line-of-duty, wants the $15,000 it gave the family back, according to NBC. The club's CEO Joe Ahern is planning to ask Gliniewicz's widow, who's reportedly under investigation along with her son, to return the money. It's the first time the charity has asked a family for its money, which is reserved for responders who die in the line of duty, back.

The bizarre and very public Gliniewicz saga is unfortunate for honest police officers across the country, Ahern told the station.

"It's a sad state for today for law enforcement clearly because a single person could bring such a negative light on the tens of thousands of men and women who divert their lives to helping others and protecting all of us," he said.

The family has not publicly responded to the organization's request yet. They issued a short statement through their attorney yesterday: "Today has been another day of deep sorrow for the Gliniewicz family," they said. "The family has cooperated with the Task Force's investigation and will not comment at this time."