Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 19 years, 3 months, 30 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: 4th District - South Chicago
District of Incident (Present Day): Evergreen Park, IL
Cause of Death: Illness - COVID-19
Age at Time of Death: 59
Timeline
Date of Birth: 28 Jan 1961
Date of Appointment: 18 Dec 2000
Date of Incident: 23 Mar 2020
End of Watch: 17 Apr 2020
Date of Interment:
Interment Details
Cemetery: Lincoln Cemetery - Chicago, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # D-11
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel #25
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 5, Line 29
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 20-E: 32
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: Did Not Serve
Incident & Biographic Details
Police Officer Ronald Newman, Star #6622, aged 59 years, was a 19 year, 3 month, 30 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 4th District – South Chicago.
On March 23, 2020 at 5:50 a.m., Officer Newman was placed on the “Medical Roll“ after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty. On March 25, 2020, at 4:16 p.m., Officer Newman began experiencing breathing problems and went to the ER at the Little Company of Mary Hospital, located at 2800 West 95th Street, Evergreen Park, IL. He was admitted to the ICU and would later succumb to the illness. He was pronounced dead at 1:47 a.m. on April 17, 2020. On April 20, 2020, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Interim Superintendent Charles Beck announced that Officer Newman’s death would be classified as in the line of duty. Officer Newman was the third Chicago Police Officer to die in the line of duty from COVID-19.
Police Officer Ronald Newman, born January 28, 1961, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on December 18, 2000 and was in Recruit Class 00-7 at the Jackson Street Police Academy. He earned 12 Department Commendations, 1 Honorable Mention Ribbon Award, 1 Unit Meritorious Award, 1 Joint Operations Awards, 4 Attendance Recognition Awards, The 2019 Crime Reduction Award, The 2009 Crime Reduction Award, The 2004 Crime Reduction Award, the NATO Summit Service Award, 118 Honorable Mentions and 6 Complimentary Letters during his career.
Officer Newman was waked at Leak & Sons Funeral Home located at 18400 South Pulaski Road. He was laid to rest on April 23, 2020 in Lincoln Cemetery, 12300 South Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.
Officer Newman was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was survived by his wife, Chiquita (Civilian CPD), age 51 and children: Brandon, age 19 and Caneshia Cannon, age 29.
Incident Recorded under RD #JD211066.
On September 21, 2021, Officer Newman’s star was retired by Superintendent of Police David O’Neal Brown and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 South Michigan Avenue.
My loving husband it’s going on the 2nd year without you in my life. In a couple of the days, I will be honoring your birthday a day in which we would dance the entire night away while sharing your favorite drink (Titos/Mr. Pure Cranberry Juice). I am still in shock that you’re not here anymore, I miss that loving smile that always gave me joy with laughter on those cold rainy days/nights. I am so grateful that God allowed me to spend years with you as my husband and best friend. I know in heaven you’re still patrolling the streets paved in gold searching for new angels ensuring that their wings are on correctly. Thank you, my loving husband for all the wonderful memories that keeps me moving forward in this cold world. Love you for life! newman#6622&newman