Crime & Safety
Police Chief Shares Department Tales
Mark Erickson divulges how a Morton Grove Police badge ended up in the hands of Elvis Presley.
A Morton Grove Police badge from the estate of Elvis Presley recently turned up on eBay.
The king of rock and roll often made friends with police officers while touring the country. When making stops in various cities he would befriend local officers and for whatever reason, Presley began collecting police badges. Many of the badges he acquired throughout the years are on display at Graceland, the late entertainer’s home, which is now a museum.
When Police Chief Mark Erickson learned about the badge on eBay he picked up the phone and called the officer who used to wear the now famous badge.
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"Am I in trouble?" The now retiree asked.
Of course he wasn't but since the badge had been gifted to Presley more than 35 years ago, federal laws have since changed. And, these new laws prohibit the transfer or sale of genuine police badges.
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That's just one of the many stories Erickson divulged to a crowd of listeners at a recent library event. The informal conversation at the library was a way for residents see to a different side of the police department.
Erickson joined the Morton Grove Police Department 28 years ago as a patrolman. During his career he worked in crime prevention and as a D.A.R.E. officer., and later appointed to police chief in 2009.
Today, Erickson oversees a department consisting of 45 sworn officers and 25 civilians. A completely different department than the one established in 1989 that consisted of one marshall and just four officers.
Throughout his time at the department, Erickson called Oct. 9, 1989, "the saddest day in the history of the Morton Grove Police Department."
It was on that early October day that Barry Shalin, a 19-year veteran of the force, was struck and killed by a drunk driver while making a routine traffic stop.
During those dark hours, Erickson credits Police Chief Larry Schey for "keeping the department together during the most difficult time."
Residents and officers kept Shalin's memory alive by dedicating the park next to the police station in his name.
To commemorate the twentieth anniversary of Shalin’s death, a bench and star were installed in front of the police department in 2009.
"The men walk by the memorial every day and it reminds them of the dangers they face," Erickson said.
