THE END OF 'PACMAN'S' DIRTY GAME

Thank goodness "Pacman" will never again wear a police badge. Thank
goodness "Silky" was there when he did.

Pacman, the nickname of Chicago Police Officer Edward Lee Jackson Jr., was
notorious in the Austin neighborhood for ripping off drug dealers for money
and cocaine and cavorting with gang leaders. Residents' complaints against
him eventually led to a federal investigation.

It culminated Thursday with the convictions of Jackson and three other
Austin District officers.

Silky was less well-known. The fake name was used by Police Sgt. Eugene
Shepherd, who risked his life to pose undercover as a cocaine dealer in
order to bring the corrupt cops to justice. His testimony proved critical
at the trial.

Of the two street names, it is Pacman's that will burn in the memories of
Austin residents who were put at risk by his breach of public trust.

That is cause for alarm. Honorable cops like Shep-herd, a 27-year veteran,
are out there, to be sure. But the shameful acts of Jackson and others like
him distort the police district's accomplishments and threaten the very
stability of the force.

In all, seven Austin District officers were brought down by the
investigation known as Operation Broken Star-. Like Jackson, Officers M.L.
Moore and Alex Ramos were convicted Thursday on nine counts involving the
use of their service revolvers to shake down drug dealers. Their minimum
sentences will range from 53 years for Ramos to 126 years for Jack-son.
Officer James P. Young was convicted on two counts and will serve at least
11 years in prison. Three other officers - Lennon Shields, Gregory
Crittleton and Cornelius Trip - pleaded guilty prior to the trial.

The convictions come five months after three Gresham District officers were
found guilty of similar charges.

The most disturbing part of all this is the improba-bility that all the
city's crooked cops have now been put away. Tribune reporter Matt O'Connor
cited law enforcement sources who say the probe of the Austin District is
continuing, although U.S. Atty. Scott Lassar has stated that Operation
Broken Star has ended.

The great hope is that more officers like Shepherd will step forth to
expose the bad apples and that the consistent service of trustworthy cops
will restore an expectation of honor and service within the ranks of
Chicago's police force.

In the meantime, Pacman is gone. And there is a sigh of relief in Austin.

Checked-by: jwjohnson@netmagic.net (Joel W. Johnson)