John B. Lennon, 87, who held several key posts, including chief of detectives and Town Hall District commander, during his 35 years as a Chicago police officer, died Monday, May 6, of complications after surgery related to cancer in Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Mr. Lennon’s father was a Chicago Fire Department battalion chief and his grandfather was a police officer during the Chicago Fire. Mr. Lennon earned a bachelor’s degree and a law degree in the 1930s from DePaul University. He became a police officer in 1937 because it was a job that ensured a steady paycheck and pension benefits. In the 1940s, he trained new officers and served as a legal advocate for the department. The following decade, he was the Town Hall District commander. In the early 1960s, he was chief of the detective division, and he spent the last part of the decade heading the north section of the youth division. He retired in 1972. Mr. Lennon served as a mentor to many officers and advised them on matters like writing police reports, said his stepdaughter Peggy O’Connor. “He had a tremendous command of the English language and a tremendous memory,” said his stepdaughter. Following retirement, he worked at a slot machine manufacturing company for 10 years. In the late 1970s, Mr. Lennon met his second wife, Madlyn, at a restaurant. They were married in 1979. Besides his wife and stepdaughter, Mr. Lennon is survived by two brothers; George and Bob; a sister; two sons, Duane and Brian; another stepdaughter, Patty O’Connor; a stepson, Tom O’Connor; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Michalik Funeral Home, 1056 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. A mass will be said at 10 a.m. Friday at Old St. Patrick’s Church, 700 W. Adams St., Chicago.
