Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming
- A police officer swam 24 miles overnight through the frigid waters near Catalina Island toward California’s shoreline.
His feat was meant to raise awareness for fallen officers and complete a prestigious trio of long-distance swims, but two hours into the 12-hour mission, he nearly gave up.
Nial Funchion, a 19-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department and high school swimming coach, completed the swim Tuesday morning.
- Not only did the swim honor Funchion’s fallen brethren, it made him the 70th person to ever complete The Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming – a trifecta of challenging aquatic treks that includes a 21-mile swim across the English Channel, a 28.5-mile swim around Manhattan Island and the Catalina Island swim.
Very well done Officer Nial Funchion. Congratulations.
Labels: good news
posted by SCC at 12:07 AM
66 Comments:
Congratulations! Thanks for representing...
Holy Moly! I live in Newport beach and he swam thru shark infested waters! Very brave and kudos officer!
He's STILL waiting for a callback from that Marine Unit interview!
And without gettin' eaten by sharks.....
Nial congrats... But anyone who knows him knows that a little too much of that water has seeped into his head... Great job nial, what a tremendous accomplishment and for a great cause.
Impressive. Strong heart, in more ways than one.
You the Man
Nial, We are so proud of you & Happy Birthday also!You don't know how many people he has told that you truly are his hero. Bless you always in all that you do. Respectfully, The Densey Cole Family
More shared sacrifice and parity.
The City announced it will move a number of retired middle class police officers and firefighters on fixed incomes to Obamacare and END all subsidies to help pay their new higher premiums.
Meanwhile, Congress announced they will give their staff a NEW subsidy of $10,000 a year for Obamacare family plans and a 4,900 a year subsidy for Obamacare individual plans to help pay their new higher premiums.
This is the same guy that couldn't get on the marine unit. Great swimmer...no phone call.
I met Nial working VRI very cool dude commited to his cause
Anonymous said...
Holy Moly! I live in Newport beach and he swam thru shark infested waters! Very brave and kudos officer!
8/15/2013 12:11:00 AM
Don't tell him about the sharks.
FYI. Hey SCC the current crew at FOP have signed off on a FBI event at the hall. Why in gods name would anyone allow the FBI any access to our lodge. Last time I remember, Bill Cozzi had no say about anything.
Nice work Nial !
93-3E
Anonymous said...
He's STILL waiting for a callback from that Marine Unit interview!
8/15/2013 12:12:00 AM
He'a been a Marine Unit Officer for at least 13 years.
Let me get this straight: this officer is a International World Class Swimmer and he is not in the Marine Unit! Is there any more glaring example of how this job is NOT ON THE LEGIT? Rahm and McCarthy are not Reformers, this is just the 21 st Century version of Da Chicago Machine. Unfortunately times have changed, Detroit should serve as an example of what corrupt politics produces.
What an accomplishment! Nial really finds himself in helping others. He has taken his unique talent of swimming and used that to promote causes for others. What a great guy and remarkable achievement. I'm a better person by knowing Nial. I'm probably prouder for him than he is for himself. Humble guy doing the extraordinary. 1 of 70 puts him in rare company.
Well done officer!
Outstanding, be safe & continue the attributes of P.I.E.S. from QS!Blessings brother.
Thanks for casting a positive light on the department.
Outstanding job Nial. I always said 009 has the best swimmers.
Great job Officer! What an amazing accomplishment. You've made us all proud!
Nial what a tremendous achievement.
To officers who are out of shape, you don't need to do what Nial did. But for the love of God, do something. Too many of us are out of shape.
You helped my daughter one early morning and we are all so happy you accomplished your swim. Those are some shark infested waters, not unlike the south side of our wonderful city.
Congratulations and thank you again.
The Stewarts.
Great job man! Asset to the marine unit and Chicago. Nice to see cpd and Chicago shown in a good light.
Happy Bday and congrats.
This man does an amazing feat and dick mell still drives around with expired plates
great work brother n god bless you. do bad we cant get the alfa girls to do that including some police work too.
Not only was this a unique physical accomplishment, it was a noble act to dedicate it to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Great job brother, THANK YOU on behalf of all who served.
Thank you for representing us well. We need a little more of that.
Great job, we're proud of you!
Great job office too bad you couldn't get garry and rham to go with I'm sure they could do it. rham could scare away the sharks and garry could shoot out the stars at night.
Officer Funchion is NOT qualified to serve in the CPD Marine Unit. It's "da Chicago Way".
Nial, you are an inspiration to us all. Your dedication, compassion and love of life is something we all can learn from. You continue to amaze me with your performance as well as your endurance. Keep up the good work my friend. There might be a spot for you on this job after all.
Well done great guy with a true heart of gold!!!!
Awesome job Nial. Way to go. Hang on to that passion.
Good to hear some positive news. to this PO.
Heightened security at Bears game tonite. CPD lost millions in terror funding due to Adm Mgr in 124. Political useful idiot. Peter principle in action.
Mad Respect to you Office!
STILL waiting on a call-back from the Marine Unit?
>Pffft!<
They need him much more than he needs them...
From 1st watch wagon in 009 to the Marine unit, Nial is a good Copper and a good role model.
Good Job
I called him to translate at a Dolphin Domestic he was really good. Turned into a 1-Flipper.
I grew up in Palos Verdes, Parents probably saw this guy doing it.....
His last feat will be to swin across the Hudson River without getting poisioned or a virus. Congrats brother, let's meet him at the airport and give him a fond welcome home.
"Heightened security at Bears game tonite. CPD diot. Peter principle in action" ..amdmin mgr lost millions?
Admin mngr does'nt handle money in any district or unit. City hall has the final say so please do tell more.
Good buoyancy.
He also did a Contact Card on Mr Limpet.
Let me get this straight: this officer is a International World Class Swimmer and he is not in the Marine Unit! Is there any more glaring example of how this job is NOT ON THE LEGIT?
We can start a while new thread on how NOT LEGIT this department is. How about the former Navy Dive instructor who is certified to teach black water diving (one of the hardest things to do much less teach) who can't get into the Marine Unit.
How about the Sgt with Top Aur Force clearance that can't get into the JTTF
How about the Marine Sniper who served in Afganistan that can't get in SWAT
Am I missing any? (Sarcasm)
NorthSide said...
Officer Funchion is NOT qualified to serve in the CPD Marine Unit. It's "da Chicago Way".
8/15/2013 11:07:00 AM
He is already assigned to the CPD Marine Unit and has been for at least 12 years or so. He made the papers before by doing a swim of the shoreline of Chicago from Indiana to Evanston.
He is one of the best swimmers the Marine Unit has. I know he was there on 9/11 but don't know exactly when he got there. Sometime before 9/11.
But yes, other qualified people were passed over because of clout. A heavyweight, now retired, in a unit had his son assigned to the Marine Unit. A good candidate got fucked because of it. That clout baby then made sergeant, oh surprise surprise, and left the spot in the Marine Unit. Wasted pick.
Anonymous said...
FYI. Hey SCC the current crew at FOP have signed off on a FBI event at the hall. Why in gods name would anyone allow the FBI any access to our lodge. Last time I remember, Bill Cozzi had no say about anything.
8/15/2013 06:53:00 AM
It is probably a ruse to plant some listening devices. When was the last time anyone from the FBI did anyone from CPD a solid? I'll wait. Still waiting. Sound of whistling. I thought so. Fuck those cock suckers.
Remember Detective Joseph M. Airhart, Jr.
Date of incident 8/28/2001
End of Watch: Tuesday, November 4, 2008
That is the FBI in action. They get special training in running away from gunfights.
Det. Airhart is on the wall in large part because his backup was FBI. And Shields and the Board lets the fucking FBI use OUR hall? Fuck that. Someone tell Maurer, he might have some choice words for those fed pricks.
Anonymous said...
FYI. Hey SCC the current crew at FOP have signed off on a FBI event at the hall. Why in gods name would anyone allow the FBI any access to our lodge. Last time I remember, Bill Cozzi had no say about anything.
8/15/2013 06:53:00 AM
It's called looking for a new job.
What an accomplishment!!!
It's nice to hear about an officer with a higher PORPOISE in life...Get It?
God love you
Can the poster at 2:12 pm please elaborate a little about the millions lost.
Fuck the marine unit, make him superintendent. He obviously knows what direction to take to move forward, which none of the political hacks wearing gold stars have the talent to do.
He was one of the marine unit divers that did a great job on 15DEC12, recovering a car from Chicago River at Blackhawks. Car was missing along with driver over ten years. DNA came back recently and family finally has closure. The guys could not see their hand in front of their face down there. Heck of a job!
Retired sergeant
Had the pleasure of working with Nail one summer, great guy. Well done!
Proud of you, brother!
From Indianapolis
Great job Nial why to make CPD Officers look good and bring some positive light to your fallen.
Next time the Edens floods will call you for some rescue swimming.
Ah forget it its only liberals the bain of existance.
Copers First !
State Trooper
the fop thing is for a good cause..
Nial you conquered the Hot Lava, totally Awesome Dude
Heightened security at Bears game tonite. CPD lost millions in terror funding due to Adm Mgr in 124. Political useful idiot. Peter principle in action.
8/15/2013 02:12:00 PM
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"Heightened security at Bears game tonite. CPD diot. Peter principle in action" ..amdmin mgr lost millions?
Admin mngr does'nt handle money in any district or unit. City hall has the final say so please do tell more.
8/15/2013 04:19:00 PM
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Sounds like somebody forgot to renew a grant or file a request on time.
Nial a hearty CONGRATULATIONS! An OUTSTANDING JOB! Thank You and as I said in 93-3 E
SEMPER FI!
Great Job Nial!
QS/82
Total victory brother! You are what others only wish they could be. Spartan reserve.
Nial's been in the Marine Unit for at least several years. He's batshit crazy, but in a good way. Funny as hell too! Congrats, Brother!
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