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Community Continues to Mourn Retired CPD
Officer Killed in Shooting
The recent murder of retired CPD officer Larry Neuman near Monroe and Kildare in West Garfield Park still has area residents in disbelief. Mr. Neuman was a pillar of the west side community having served as a Chicago police officer protecting the very area where he lived and several years as a bomb technician with TSA.
He was also a military veteran and a pastor at St. Michael M.B. Church and very active in the community.
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The Irony of the situation…Heaven help us!!
I first heard of the shooting a couple hours after it happened in a neighborhood barber shop a block from the scene of the crime. Although gun violence in West Garfield Park is nothing new, this particular incident struck a nerve in many, including myself. The
irony is that Mr. Neuman served and protected the city of Chicago for nearly three decades and had the unique distinction of being the CPD’s first African American bomb technician only to be shot and killed in his own yard by some of the very teens he devoted his time and energy to provide better opportunities for.
We often hear the narrative that there are not enough male role models in black communities who are willing to give back. Mr. Neuman was not that guy!! His legacy is one of service to his country, his city and to his community. If something so tragic can happen to him, heaven help us, none of are safe!!
I Just Shook My Head
One of the barbers I spoke with was also feeling the impact of the murder. He mentioned that he had cut Mr. Neuman’s hair a few times in the past. “He (Mr. Neuman) was very well known in the area and was a community-oriented guy, he came in from time to
time just to support the shop I was working in.”
As an example of how hyper-local this incident is, this same barber, who didn’t want to use his name for the article, now works in a different shop in the same area and has also given a haircut to the teenagers responsible for the murder. He added, “when I saw their faces on the news, I just shook my head.”
He feels like the community has to step up to help curb the gun violence in the area. “Until the community get tired of the killings, its gonna keep happening. I also feel like we need to do more for the youth in this area, they have nothing to do and we need to provide alternatives to the street life.” Another barber joined in
and added, “These young guys out here got these guns and they lookin for a reason to shoot somebody.”​​
‘Lil Larry’ Mourns his Father
A short time later as I stood in front of a makeshift memorial directly across the street from Mr. Neuman’s home his son ‘Lil Larry’ walked up. As we spoke, he began to quote a bible scripture, but understandably broke down in tears. His message was similar as he stated, “ We gotta give back to the youth, we
gotta touch em in some way, it’s still some hope out here. They need jobs or some type of outlet because they got too much time on their hands. If they are busy doing something constructive his would have never happen.”
He mentioned, “shorty lived right down the street, he was on house arrest and everything, he violated his probation plenty of times so our system failed us.”
“My dad could have stopped working and left the area a long time ago. The goal is to make it out, that’s what I did, I beat the streets and left. I would still come back over here and help him cut his grass and help take care of him. He lived and died for this community, he would say, ‘I’m not working for myself I’m working for my kids and my grandkids, my community, my church family.’
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A Legend, An Icon, A Hero
Lil Larry was proud to see the words, “Living Legend” on his father’s memorial. He added, I’m happy to see that because he was a legend. He was a God-fearing man so I know he’s in heaven. I just don’t want this situation to go to waste, let the light shine on this and hopefully something good come out of this. He was a great dude and I’m proud that he was my dad.”
Rest in Peace Mr. Neuman!!