German American Police Association Chicago

A Chicago fraternal organization comprised of duly sworn law enforcement officers of German heritage.
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Herzlich Wilkommen to GAPA Chicago

Established in Chicago, Illinois in 1975, the German American Police Association (GAPA) is a fraternal organization comprised of duly sworn law enforcement officers of German heritage. As a social organization, we are also a charitable one, committed to supporting honorable causes within the German American Community and those of law enforcement. Current charities include but are not limited to the GAPA Scholarship Fund, the DANK Spatzen Children’s Chorus, DANK Schule Nord, St.

Our Mission

To preserve and uphold the Constitution of the United States of America. To uphold the laws of the Federal, State and Municipal governments in which we serve.

To establish friendship and camaraderie between sworn law enforcement officers of German heritage within the communities in which we live and serve, other German American Police organizations within the United States as well as law enforcement officers from the German-speaking lands of our forefathers. To display pride in and preserve our German American heritage.

To work to better police and community relations within the German American community and the communities in which we serve.

To extend the assistance of our Association within the German American community via volunteered service or charitable donations.

Events

Keep up to date on our latest events!

Scholarships

Apply today for the GAPA Scholarship and the Danielle Marie Pisterzi Post Graduate Scholarship

Store

Visit our online store to get your own GAPA merch!

Brennpunkt Newsletter

Timothy O. Schaefer

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of longtime member and our President of the German American Police Association, Tim Schaefer. Please keep Tim's family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

Dec 1, 2023

Spring 2023 Newsletter

Guten Tag! Wow, what year so far. To think we are in April already. 2023 is starting to fly by but we are trying to stay ahead of things: your officers and board members are all working hard to...

May 3, 2023

Winter 2023 Newsleter

President’s Message Guten Tag and Frohes Neues Jahr (Happy New Year) Starting out I would like to give you an update on our Trip to Milwaukee for the Cubs vs Brewers game. I’m sure by now you...

Feb 13, 2023
Ed Heerdt

Clarence “Ed” Heerdt

Clarence “Ed” Heerdt, age 90, Ret. C.P.D., SFC Army Ret. Beloved husband of the late Nancy J. Heerdt, nee Tross; loving father of Donna L. (Peter)

Sep 15, 2022

Fall 2022 Newsletter

President’s Message Guten tag! I hope everyone is enjoying their summertime with their family and friends. The Board and Officers have been hard at work keeping GAPA current during these summer...

Sep 12, 2022

SUMMER 2022 NEWSLETTER

President’s Message Guten Tag! Welcome to summer and some interesting weather. I hope everyone is enjoying themselves. As I looked back over the last six months and my last article, I realized...

Jun 30, 2022

October November December 2017

2017 Von Steuben Parade in Lincoln Square   President's Message: Lord Hear Our Prayers I’m sorry to report that our good member Bob Issel succumbed to injuries resulting from a tragic car...

Sep 25, 2017

July August September 2017

President's Message: Maifest Thanks to all who worked the Maifest last weekend. Just about everyone who signed up showed up. Special thanks to Tim Schaefer for coordinating it all for us. It was...

Jun 25, 2017

Apr May Jun 2017

President's Message: I regret to announce the passing of Fred Schumacher, our associate member and Midwest rep for Hofbraeu Bier. Fred and his wife Betts were wonderful hosts when we visited...

Mar 25, 2017

Jan Feb March 2017

Health & Welfare We wish to express to Jack Glunz and family who have been great friends of GAPA for many years our condolences on the passing of Jack's wife Judy after a long illness. May...

Mar 1, 2017

Oct Nov Dec 2016

2017 Scholarship Application President's Message: GAPA Picnic Our annual picnic on 08 July 2016 at Bunker Hill forest preserve was a keeper. A nice turnout and a steady wind kept the heat away....

Sep 25, 2016

Jul Aug Sep 2016

2016 Golf Outing Golf Meister Joe Kirchens & Herb Andreen GAPA Chicago will Milwaukee's Germanfest on 30 July! Contact Tom Moritz for further info at 815-464-4665   DANK Journal Review...

Jun 25, 2016

Apr May Jun 2016

2016 Super Bowl Party Scholarship Meister Tim Schaefer & GAPA Prez Mike Haas President's Message: Super Bowl Party I want to thank Tim Schaefer, Joe Schreiner, and Kevin Brumley for all the...

Mar 25, 2016

Jan Feb Mar 2016

2016 Super Bowl Party Scholarship Meister Tim Schaefer & GAPA Prez Mike Haas President's Message: Super Bowl Party As I assume the GAPA presidency for the next two years, I’d like to commend...

Jan 2, 2016

The GAPA Salutes member Pat Duckhorn

019 District (Belmont) patrol officer, riding solo, finds himself in gun battle after picking up the chase of two armed robbers until they crash land and flee on foot. The GAPA Salutes member Pat...

Feb 3, 2015

GAPA Chicago, 35 Years!

A brief history of the German American Police Association in Chicago from its inception in 1975 to the present! Remembering who we are, from whence we came and where, God willing, our journey...

Feb 2, 2015

Sponsors and Partners

Thanks to our sponsors and partners!

GAPA Greater Milwaukee logo
DANK logo
International GAPA of Philadelphia logo
NYC Von Steuben Association
St. Alphonsus logo
Lodge 7, Chicago Fraternal Order of Police logo
Polish American Police Association