Leddin remembered for contributions to fire, police services

By Jef Rietsma, The Star

John "Jack" Leddin was remembered this week as a man who devoted his life to the police and fire services.

Leddin, 68, of Orland Park, died Friday following a months-long illness.

Leddin's position as president of the Orland Fire Protection District will likely stay vacant until the April 2005 election.

Eldest son, Bill, recalled his father's love for emergency services.

"One of my earliest memories was the '67 tornado in Oak Lawn, and how he devoted a day and a half nonstop looking for survivors," the
44-year-old said. "Dad was a rare breed from a different era, just one of those all-around good guys."

Jack Leddin joined the Orland Fire Protection District as a paid-on-call firefighter in 1980 and had been a board member since 1991.

In addition, he was a part-time police officer in Palos Park, director of emergency services and a part-time police officer in Orland
Hills, and worked in the Fire Prevention Bureau for the Homer Fire Protection District.

His full -time job was building commissioner for the village of Brookfield.

Bill Leddin said his dad was involved in so many communities, he always double-checked when leaving the house to make sure he was wearing
the proper shirt and badge.

Leddin was buried Wednesday.  His son noted honorary pallbearers Bob Buhs, Dan Wysocki and Don Bettenhausen represented the past, present and future chiefs of the Orland Fire Protection District.

"Dad would be honored, probably a little embarrassed, over the fuss," Bill Leddin said. "The outpouring, though, has been phenomenal."

Palos Park Police Chief Joe Miller worked with Leddin in Orland Park and Orland Hills before they were reunited in Palos Park after Miller was
appointed chief. Miller remembers Leddin as someone who didn't sleep much. "I know he kept the (police) scanner blasting all the time, 24/7,"
Miller said.  "When I was in Orland Park he'd beat me to a few calls because he heard them go out on the scanner," Miller added. "(Cmdr.) Bob Soukup had to tell him he had to quit doing that because the newer officers didn't know who he was and he always managed to be the first person on the scene."

Miller remembers working midnights in Orland Park and Leddin would contact him via police-band radio, inviting Miller to his house for coffee
at 3 a.m.  Leddin was on the job in Palos Park well into March, Miller said.  Miller said he frequently turned to Leddin as a voice of reason at
times when matters in Palos Park were not so harmonious.

"Jack managed to maintain an even keel, a demeanor that made him a gentleman first and foremost," Miller said. " I have a lot of respect for
Jack and we're going to miss him."

Leddin was a veteran of the United States Naval Reserve. He held a Master's Degree from Dorchester University, along with a number of
emergency and code enforcement certifications. He was a graduate of St. Rita High School in Chicago.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the John P. Leddin Memorial Fire Service Fund, in care of the Orland Fire Protection
District, 9788 West 151st Street, Orland Park, IL 60462.