Lawrence Givens, 81, a retired Chicago police sergeant, died Sunday, Oct. 22, of kidney failure in the Applewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Matteson. Mr. Givens enjoyed his 31 years on the police force. “I think he liked the interaction with people because he was very good at it,” said his daughter, Camille Givens. Mr. Givens graduated from DuSable High School in 1938. He served as a storekeeper and recordkeeper in the Navy during World War II. After leaving the Navy, he worked as a plumber and electrician before joining the Chicago Police Department in 1951. During his career, he was a gang-intelligence officer and an internal-affairs investigator. He retired in 1982 with six honorable mentions. Other survivors include his wife of 60 years, Vernice; and a granddaughter. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Cage Memorial Chapel, 7651 S. Jeffery Blvd., Chicago. A viewing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, followed by a mass at 11 a.m., in St. Dorothy Catholic Church, 450 E. 78th St., Chicago.
