Stand with Richard Arroyo: A Hero in Need

I want to share the plight of my friend and colleague. I had the extreme honor to work with Chicago Police Officer Richard Arroyo for nearly 12 years in the Chicago Police Department’s Gang Enforcement unit. Richie, as he is known by his friends, is a bona fide hero. He is the recipient of two Awards of Valor along with hundreds of other awards. After 24 years of dedicated service, on August 29th, 2024, the Police Pension Board terminated his disability benefits. His story is an injustice and infuriating to say the least. Before I share the story of his ordeal, I want to add that Richie is not only an outstanding Police Officer, but he is an amazing father. He has two children: a daughter about to enter college and a son who is entering his senior year at St. Laurence High School. Both his children are outstanding athletes and students. His daughter is a standout in volleyball and was selected to give her senior class commencement ceremony speech. His son is a star hurler for his Illinois State Champion baseball team. Richie has played a pivotal and ever-present role in his children’s development, despite the demands placed upon him by his career as a police officer. Travel sports, academic-related events, Richie was there.

On February 20, 2020, while on duty, Richie and his partner were involved in a vehicle pursuit of a wanted fugitive. This fugitive was driving with a loaded firearm and illicit narcotics as he tried to elude police. In a last-ditch effort to make good his escape, the fugitive intentionally rammed the squad car Richie and his partner were in. Richie was extracted from the squad car and later woke up in the University of Chicago emergency room. Among the injuries Richie suffered were staples in his head along with 35+ stitches across his eye. Richie sustained a severe concussion, whiplash, torn right rotator cuff, extreme lower back pain, and worse, a traumatic brain injury.

Richie had just returned to duty after surgery for a previous torn rotator cuff injury that he also suffered in the line of duty. You see, Richie was a tough, dedicated police officer who loved being the police. He helped remove countless illegal firearms and dangerous gang members from our streets. So, even after a severe injury and painful surgery and recuperation, Richie couldn’t wait to get back to the streets.

As a result of this intentional car ramming and the injuries he sustained, Richie now suffers many long-term effects including depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, severe migraines, ringing of the ears, nerve damage, and severe atrophy of the right shoulder/arm. Richie also had back surgery to fuse his L5/S1 and yet another rotator cuff surgery.

As a result of this attack, Richie is unable to work as a police officer any longer. He was initially granted duty disability in November 2021. However, long-term disability needs the approval of the pension board, and this is no easy task. As he waited for the process to move forward, after 4 long years, his Injury On Duty time ran out. During this time, he has done all he has been asked to do. He has had hundreds of hours of physical therapy, nerve conduction studies, epidurals, doctor visits, and now must be under the care of a psychiatrist. While complying with the process, Richie was ordered to take an FCE (Functional Capacity Exam) to determine the use of his right arm. He was told that he would be asked to perform the prescribed weapons qualification course and that the test would be conducted inside a gun range simulator with Richie in full duty gear, bulletproof vest, gun belt containing magazines, handcuffs, radio, duty holster, and weapon. Instead, Richie was put in a small room at a physical therapy center in Pilsen and was literally handed a plastic toy gun. This toy gun had no functions; there was no simulated ammunition, no projectile, and no recoil. Richie wore no gear, only a t-shirt. When he protested, Richie was told to “pretend” and to continue. Based on Richie’s ability to “pretend” with a toy gun, the examiner told Richie he passed “with flying colors” and stated Richie could return to work full duty. Based on this assessment, my 5-year-old neighbor is qualified to carry and fire a firearm.

Richie appeared next before the pension board. On August 29th, 2024, based on Richie’s ability to hold a toy gun, the pension board’s doctor declared Richie fit for duty. Adding insult to injury, the pension board excused their doctor early from the hearing and thus Richie’s attorney was not able to examine the doctor on the stand to challenge their findings. The board said, “We do not need her; we have made our decision.” Despite protest from Richie’s attorney, the hearing continued, and the board rendered their decision. So, on August 29th, 2024, the police pension board terminated Officer Arroyo’s benefits and pay effective August 31st, 2024. Richie was told to begin the rehiring process and was given 30 days to complete this. Richie immediately went to police headquarters to start the rehire process. He was given an appointment 2 weeks later with Concentra (city doctors). These are the doctors who have stated Richie is disabled and not able to perform as a police officer.

To further complicate the matter, due to no fault of Richie, Concentra called a few days later and canceled his appointment and moved it to the following Monday. Richie reported to Concentra that Monday to be examined and was again told by the city’s doctors he was unfit for duty and could not return to work. Part of this examination included an EKG which required another doctor outside of Concentra to read it. By the time the EKG was read and the paperwork submitted to Human Resources, the 30-day deadline had passed. The police pension board would not reverse their findings because the deadline was missed. The pension board has refused to reopen the matter and consider the city’s doctor’s findings.

Of course, there is an appeal pending, but this is a long and drawn-out process. In the meantime, the Arroyo family has been devastated financially and emotionally. It has been 11 months since Richie’s last paycheck from the city. He has been forced to borrow money from family to pay his mortgage, car note, utilities each month, and health insurance. Richie and his wife were always proud to pay for their children’s tuition up front, but now they struggle to see where they’ll find the means. This has truly been a long nightmare for Richie and his family. Any help or consideration in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.