Operation Santa remembers families of Chicago officers killed, seriously injured in line of duty

Chicago Police Memorial Foundation's annual event provides gifts, support, comfort

PHOTO: Bethany O'Reilly, widow of Chicago police Sgt. Philip O'Reilly, greets Michael Sweig as Chicago police officers present gifts to the family at their home Saturday as part of the annual Operation Santa event. (Abel Uribe, Chicago Tribune / December 16, 2012)

The holidays can be difficult for Phil O'Reilly Jr., whose father, Chicago police Sgt. Philip O'Reilly, was killed nearly 10 years ago when a tow truck slammed into his squad car while he was on patrol.

But O'Reilly, 17, was beaming Saturday as he shook hands and traded laughs with dozens of police officers who crowded into his family's home in the West Rogers Park neighborhood, delivering gifts and offering support in an effort to show that his family hasn't been forgotten.

"It kind of brings back the holiday spirit for me," O'Reilly said. " "People showing they care."

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