Lockport Dedicates Fireplace To City's 1st Female Police Officer

LOCKPORT, IL — In February, Lockport dedicated the city's outdoor fireplace to its first female police officer, Delores Feithen. Feithen served with the Lockport Police Department from 1957 to 1977, according to the city.

The city of Lockport, Lockport Police Department, and the Lockport Township Fire Protection District held the dedication ceremony for the fireplace, located at 921 S. State.

In a public ceremony, Mayor Steve Streit said the dedication of the fire pit and chimney was in honor of Feithen, as well as the many men and women who have served the Lockport community as members of the Lockport Police Department and Lockport Township Fire Protection District.

The building at 921 S. State St. has been home to many organizations, and is currently the location of Rainbow Council, Boy Scouts of America, the city said. In 1936, the building was dedicated by Mayor Joseph Fitzgerald as the Lockport City Hall. The building also housed the volunteer Lockport Fire Department established in 1895 after a fire that consumed a large portion of the downtown and the Lockport Police Department.

In 1956, the Lockport Township Fire Protection District was created, and relocated to Station No. 1 at Ninth Street and Seventh Street in Lockport. The Lockport Police Department moved to 921 S. State Street in 1956 and remained there until the current police station at 1212 S. Farrell was built and dedicated in 1997, the city said.