Honoring the Dead

Once again, a series of older stars retired:

• One was killed in an explosion. Another died after chasing down burglars. Yet another was killed as he struggled to disarm a gunman.

  All were remembered today at the Chicago Police Department's Honored Star ceremony, an observance paying tribute to officers who were killed in the line of duty.

• Five of the 11 officers who were remembered had died between 1853 and 1994, proving it's never too late to honor fallen servicemen

And a bit of history:

• After years of debate, Constable James Quinn was recognized as the first Chicago police officer slain in the line of duty, thanks in part to former Drug Enforcement Administration officer Rick Barrett.

  He unearthed documents thought to have perished in the Great Chicago Fire proving that Quinn died in 1853 from injuries while serving arrest warrants.

  "Finally, the truth prevailed," Barrett said. "He literally came out of the ashes."

  Quinn's family thanked Barrett for his efforts.

RIP Officers