IL HR0911

Illinois House of Representatives mourns the death of Jerry D. Bratcher, former police chief of Palatine, who died on August 20, 2020.

Chief Bratcher served 40 years in law enforcement, including positions with DeKalb Police Department (rising to captain), Rochelle Police Department (5 years), and Palatine Police Department (25 years).

Chief Bratcher was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who enlisted at age 17 during the Korean War, earning the rank of sergeant, and held advanced degrees from Western Illinois University and Roosevelt University.

Under Chief Bratcher's leadership, the Palatine Police Department became the first in Illinois to implement a local crime prevention unit and adopted neighborhood-based policing and a four-year college degree requirement for new officers.

The resolution extends condolences to Chief Bratcher's three children, 13 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter; he was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Helen.