Cop Union Boss Nabs Suspect

By Philip J. O’Connor
Chicago Sun-Times

The president of a police union seized an accused rapist after the suspect drove into the union’s parking lot in northwest-suburban Wheeling, it was learned yesterday.

John J. Flood, president of the Combined Counties Police Association and on leave as a Cook County sheriff’s sergeant, was talking on the phone with sheriff’s detective Sgt. Clyde Abney Wednesday as the accused man returned from lunch with a CCPA secretary.

Abney said Flood seized the man just after the two longtime friends had discussed arrest warrants issued for John Galindo, 40, of 3235 Sanders, Northfield.

Abney said he told Flood that Galindo was believed to date a CCPA secretary, described the suspect’s car and asked Flood to call him if Galindo showed up.

“His car is pulling in the lot now,” Flood replied, glancing out a window. Flood put down the phone, walked out to the parking lot and took Galindo into custody.

Flood ordered Galindo to remain at CCPA’s offices until sheriff’s police arrived and the suspect offered no resistance.

Galindo was accused of breaking into the suburban Northfield Township home of a 31- year-old woman early Wednesday and attacking her.

He was charged with sexual assault and home invasion. Galindo appeared in the Circuit Court Skokie branch yesterday and was being held in Cook County jail in lieu of $250,000 bond.

Abney said that during the course of their investigation, detectives had learned that Galindo’s girlfriend worked for the CCPA but didn’t know her name.

When Abney phoned Flood, he said he didn’t known which female employee Galindo might be dating but questioned other CCPA officials.

The CCPA acts as collective bargaining agents for police officers in a number of suburbs. A number of sheriff’s police officers are also CCPA members.