Chicago police veteran john dineen dies at 89

Chicago lost a stalwart of its police force and a dedicated advocate for officers with the passing of John Dineen, who died Wednesday at the age of 89. Dineen, a former president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and a decorated Chicago police officer, was remembered by colleagues and friends as a pivotal figure in the union's history.

Dineen’s legacy: from homicide detective to union leader

Born on July 4, 1936, on Chicago’s West Side, Dineen joined the CPD in 1959, just over a year after his discharge from the U.S. Army. He steadily rose through the ranks, becoming a detective in 1963 and serving in the city’s homicide and organized crime units. His career trajectory was marked by a commitment to both law enforcement and the rights of officers.

Dineen’s leadership within the FOP was transformative. He served as national president from 1979 to 1981, concurrently leading Lodge 7. A key moment came when he stepped aside from the national role to negotiate Lodge 7's first collective bargaining agreement, securing crucial rights for rank-and-file officers. That agreement, reached in 1981, laid the groundwork for the union's future strength.

He further solidified the union’s power through the Illinois Labor Relations Act of 1983, ensuring its permanent right to negotiate contracts. For over two decades, Dineen steered Lodge 7, establishing the union as the official bargaining representative and negotiating its first contract with the City of Chicago.

But Dineen’s tenure wasn't without controversy. In 1993, he was voted out of the Chicago FOP presidency following a dispute over a planned parade float supporting officers accused of misconduct, including Cmdr. Jon Burge. The FOP ultimately altered the float’s theme.

The Chicago FOP Lodge 7 now bears his name, the Chicago John Dineen Lodge 7. A wake was held Sunday at Cooney Funeral Home in Park Ridge, with funeral services scheduled for Monday at St. Juliana Catholic Church in Chicago. Dineen’s influence on Chicago’s police department and its union will be felt for years to come.

Illinois state Rep. Patrick Sheehan (D-Illinois) noted Dineen's impact, writing on Instagram that he helped secure the union’s role as the official bargaining representative for rank-and-file officers. His dedication to his profession and his union were unwavering.