"Offering a reward is the best
way to supplement our cooperation with the Chicago Police Department in their
investigation of this shocking, senseless and tragic incident," said
Metra Chairman Jeffrey R. Ladd. "Chicago investigators are doing
everything in their power to apprehend those responsible, and we have the
utmost confidence in their efforts. We hope the reward will give a big boost
to their investigation."
The tragedy was the first to involve
a crime-related death of anyone aboard a Metra train in the agency's 15-year
history, according to a Metra statement.
Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano
said the commuter rail agency is continuing to make Employee Assistance
Program counselors available to distraught workers throughout the week, and
longer if necessary.
According to Pagano and UTU Illinois
State Legislative Representative J. C. Szabo, a fellow member of UTU Local
1290, Metra officers and operating employees have been meeting in the wake of
the fatal event to discuss the incident and consider steps that can be taken
to enhance the safety of workers and commuters.
Metra Chief Operating Officer Vaughn
Stoner is expected to meet with conductors this morning to review
cash-handling procedures, listen to suggestions concerning the use of drop
boxes, and explore other ideas related to safety and security.
In addition, Pagano said Metra will
make arrangements to allow workers to attend Hooten's funeral. He said the
commuter rail agency is purchasing and distributing lapel ribbons to be worn
by workers in tribute to the fallen conductor.
UTU's Szabo said fellow workers will
likely observe the funeral rituals traditionally carried out by members of the
former Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, a UTU predecessor union, in
recognition of Hooten's nearly 30 years of rail service on the former Illinois
Central and Metra.
"It's a very sad situation,
because Hooten was well-liked by fellow employees, and was looking forward to
retirement in a few months," said Szabo.
Thaddaus L. Warner, secretary and
treasurer of Local 1290 and a friend of Hooten's, said fellow workers were in
shock over the incident, and Local President Donald E. Schweiger said members
of the local were pulling together to offer comfort to the family.
Metra's Ladd also took note of the
loss represented by Hooten's death.
"Our sympathy goes out to
conductor Hooten's family and friends and to his co-workers on the Electric
District," Ladd said. "He was well-liked and respected by passengers
and other crew members. We can only hope that those responsible for depriving
Mr. Hooten's family, his friends and co-workers, and society in general, of a
wonderful human being will soon be brought to justice."
Police said they were searching for
two attackers who boarded the train just before 6:45 p.m. Saturday at a stop
in the West Pullman neighborhood. The men may have tried to rob Hooten before
shooting him in the face, authorities said Sunday, though police could not
confirm whether Hooten's attackers made off with any cash. Only a handful of
passengers were on the train when Hooten was shot, police said.
Police described one attacker as
about 25 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds and
wearing a black and gray cloth Starter-brand jacket and blue jeans. The other
is believed to be about 25 years old, 6 feet 3 inches tall, wearing a gray and
blue cotton jacket, blue jeans and gym shoes, said Calumet Area Sgt. Ray
Madigan.
The incident took place while the
train was stopped at 121st Street and Halsted Avenue on the Blue Island branch
of the Metra Electric District.
Hooten, a South Side resident,
grandfather, and jazz deejay, was pronounced dead at 11:35 p.m., according to
the Cook County medical examiner's office.
