It is with great heartbreak and sadness that I write this tribute to my friend, former co-worker, and passionate police professional, Edward Hoes. Officer Hoes passed away on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. His death was unexpected. Ed was 76 years old.
He was a police officer with the Riverside Police Department until he retired after 30 years of distinguished service to the community. Additionally, Ed rose through the ranks of the Illinois Police Association (IPA) as the Tri-County Division Chairperson. He was then elevated to positions on the executive board and elected as president of the organization in 1999. He served as executive director for more than two decades until his death.
I am sure Riverside residents and those in the greater Riverside area may have met Ed at some time in his 30-year career. He was enthusiastic about law enforcement, protecting, and supporting officers through his work with the Illinois Police Association. In his years of serving the Riverside community, I knew Ed to be a “community officer” long before that term became popular. He began and ended his career as a patrol officer and that is exactly what he wanted. He wanted to collaborate with the residents in the community to help shape public safety for the village of Riverside.
Ed’s wife, Kathy, also worked for the Riverside Police Department. Many of you may have known her when you called on the phone or walked into the police lobby because she was one of our dispatchers when Riverside still had its own 911 center. She is one of the friendliest individuals we ever had working at the desk. When I was chief, I would constantly get compliments about her professionalism and courtesy from residents who had contact with her. Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss.
I worked with Ed during some of his years in Riverside when he was working on numerous pieces of legislation in Springfield while I served on the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Legislative Committee, and he was working on behalf of the Illinois Police Association as its executive director. He was directly involved in getting legislation passed in Springfield that was pro-law enforcement and pro-public safety.
Ed never forgot where he came from. He invested his soul into making Riverside a safer and better community, and believe me, he did.
Chief Thomas Weitzel (Ret.)
Riverside Police Department