A man who is being called a “super hero” won one of the most prestigious awards in Martin Luther King’s name.
Tim Jones, the Park Forest police officer who was shot in the line of duty in 2016 and died in December, was awarded the MLK Lifetime Achievement Award at the fifth Chicago Southland MLK Jr. Luncheon Monday at the Odyssey Golf Foundation in Tinley Park. The event was put on by the Victory Community Coalition.
More than 300 guests heard speeches, listened to uplifting music from the Southland College Prep Chorale and New Birth Chorale Ensemble and applauded and stood for a few award winners who continue the work and spirit of King.
Jones suffered bullet wounds to his head and his neck during an exchange of gunfire and survived after undergoing numerous surgeries before leaving a rehab facility more than a year after the shooting.
Park Forest Mayor Joseph Woods accepted the award for Jones, who is also known as “Tim Strong.”
“On behalf of the extended Tim Jones family, I proudly accept this esteemed recognition in his honor on this Martin Luther King Day,” Woods said. “Between mourning his death and celebrating his life … we know that Tim will forever remain in the hearts and minds of Park Forest residents and citizens throughout this land.”
Woods said Jones was a “super hero” who is being celebrated and “did not lose his life, he gave it to the entire community.”
“He was a real hero who fought with courage and with real super powers,” he said. “Yes, he’s a super hero because he defied that most basic human instinct — to run from danger. Instead, he ran to it.
“This fallen officer has risen to his commitment and his oath to serve and protect. This is the defining day that propels us to remember those who shall never be forgotten.”
Five others were awarded honors for their service to the community.
The Bishop Arthur M. Brazier Award went to his son, Byron, who is the senior pastor of the Apostolic Church of God.
Alvin Bibbs, the founder and CEO of Justice Journey Alliance, and Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon won for being strong activists.
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Ieshia Gray won for her work at the Sauk Village Restorative Justice Community Court.
And Trayce Hutsona, the principal at Indiana Elementary School in Park Forest, won for her work in education.
Plenty of dignitaries were present or spoke, including U.S. Reps. Raja Krishamoorthi and Robin Kelly, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, and state Sens. Karina Villa and Michael Hastings.
Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton made an unannounced appearance and praised the work of King and the event.
“This is love, justice and service in action,” Stratton said.
She said there is a parallel to when King stepped up to serve and the time people are living in now.
“We are at a crossroads in history,” she said. “Progress has come because ordinary people chose courage over comfort.”
Stratton said her father, Henry Wiggins, who died in November, marched from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965, one of the marches King participated in.
“He believed that change was possible with good people who refused to be silent,” Stratton said. “When he was asked why he marched, he simply said ‘I didn’t like how people were being treated.’
“That sounds familiar doesn’t it? This is our moment to choose courage over comfort and to choose faith over fear.”
Pastor Andrew Singleton of the Victory Apostolic Church thanked the hundreds for making the trek during weather with single-degree temperatures.
“I woke up this morning laughing,” Singleton said. “I was laughing to myself because it was 8 degrees. Even I don’t want to come. It’s cooold.”
Then he said it hit him that King’s birthday is celebrated in January and Black History Month events occur in February and it’s a good test of resolve.
“Those people who make it through this type of weather have perseverance,” Singleton said. “That’s what we want. It is cold times for the poor and the oppressed.
“We the church and we, the leaders of the land and the conscience of this country, must stand up for what is right and know that God has given us strength to make it through.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
