Captain Michael W. O’Mara was a highly respected officer in the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department. Born in 1939, he dedicated his adult life to law enforcement, rising through the ranks to become a captain by the late 1980s. Known for his dedication, integrity, and relentless work ethic, O’Mara was one of the few in his department to have attended the FBI National Academy. His training and experience made him invaluable in organized crime investigations, and throughout the 1960s and 1970s he had developed a reputation for standing up against the powerful organized crime syndicates that dominated parts of Chicago and its suburbs.
O’Mara’s colleagues described him as meticulous and intelligent, with a strong sense of duty. He was also a family man, married with children, and at the time of his death was looking forward to retirement. According to friends and family, he had plans to move to Florida with his wife and begin the next chapter of his life away from the stresses of policing. His death would strike as shocking not only because of its suddenness but also because of the questions it raised about whether his long career in law enforcement ultimately made him a target.
The Day of May 30, 1988
Memorial Day of 1988 was supposed to be ordinary for Captain O’Mara. According to his family, he was in good spirits when he left home that evening. He mentioned he was going to get gasoline for his vehicle and also bring home frozen yogurt, a simple errand that suggested no distress or dark intentions. There were no indications from his behavior that he was contemplating ending his life. In fact, his upbeat demeanor and plans for retirement painted the picture of a man looking forward to the future.
Later that evening, around 9:00 p.m., a fellow officer discovered O’Mara’s unmarked squad car parked at the private service area of the Markham Civic Center, a location where county police officers often fueled their vehicles. The sight was unusual enough to prompt an inspection, which soon revealed the grim discovery.
Discovery of the Body
Captain O’Mara’s body was found just outside the car, slumped against a rock in the grass near the fueling station. He had been shot once in the forehead. His service revolver lay nearby, and strikingly, both his wallet and briefcase remained untouched. The presence of these items and the absence of theft suggested that robbery was not the motive…