Slain officer's family moves out of Park Manor

The family of slain Chicago police Officer Michael Bailey has moved out of their Park Manor neighborhood home less than two weeks after his fatal shooting outside the residence, according to relatives, neighbors and local officials.

The officer's widow, Pamela, and his son, Michael Jr., gave away items from their home in the 7400 block of South Evans Avenue before departing Thursday, according to several neighbors. The family then placed large padlocks on the front door and gate and boarded up all of the windows on the lower level of the two-story home.

A uniformed officer continued to keep watch this afternoon outside of the home, where Bailey, a 20-year veteran was gunned down on July 18 as he polished his new Buick sedan. Bailey, who was still in uniform from his overnight shift guarding Mayor Richard Daley's South Loop home, was weeks from retiring.

The stress of the slaying proved to be too much for Bailey's widow, who hadn't stayed at the home since shortly after her husband's killing, said Ald. Freddrenna Lyle, 6th.

"The memory that it happened here is more than (the family) can take," Lyle said today.

A relative confirmed that Bailey's family moved but could not provide further details.

A reward totaling $129,450 has been raised for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Bailey's killer.

Earlier this week, police described a man seen fleeing after the shooting as 18 to 24, African-American with a medium-dark complexion and a short fade haircut, about 6 feet tall and 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue jean shorts with a long brown and orange belt.