In a bizarre turn of events, the life of Christopher Pazan—a man who once reveled in the cheers of fans as a star quarterback and later decided to uphold law and order as a Chicago police officer—has taken a curious detour. Pazan, now 41, was arrested recently on allegations of attempting to pilfer baseball cards, valued around $300, from a suburban store in Evergreen Park. The idyllic role model has now found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
On an otherwise uneventful Wednesday afternoon, Pazan’s supposed criminal escapade unfolded at the Meijer store located on South Western Avenue. According to Evergreen Park Police’s Sgt. Victor Watts, store security had an eye on Pazan as he deftly maneuvered the cards into a yard waste bag—a move as smooth as one of his college touchdown passes. Unfortunately for him, his stealth did not go unnoticed. He audaciously paid for the bag, ignoring the fact that the cards concealed within had yet to be rung up. His ill-fated attempt at a clean getaway was foiled, and law enforcement swiftly apprehended him.
In reaction to this incident, the Chicago Police Department moved promptly, stripping Pazan of his police powers as they launch an internal investigation. Serving since 2015, Pazan had been assigned to the Morgan Park District and was detailed to the central investigations division, a branch tasked with dealing with significant cases, such as arson and financial crimes. Ironically enough, his department handles incidents precisely like the one he now faces.
Efforts to contact Pazan’s attorney, however, have proven to be as elusive as an intercepted pass. Additionally, Pazan himself is keeping his counsel, perhaps taking a page from the silent wisdom he once shared on the field.
Before donning the police badge, Pazan was known for his exploits as a talented quarterback at Brother Rice High School in Mount Greenwood, where he achieved All-American honors, and later played for the University of Illinois. His football artistry saw him donning the jersey of collegiate champions, before moving to a coaching position at Illinois and St. Joseph’s College. It was in 2015, during a reflective discourse with the Chicago Tribune, that Pazan spoke of his transition to law enforcement. He yearned “to serve in a different capacity,” and took the field once more but this time in the blue uniform. He also had stints with the Chicago Enforcers, a team composed of law enforcement heroes who engage in friendly police football leagues.
Despite an enviable salary of $111,804, excluding overtime, Pazan’s remuneration has seemingly not entirely kept his financial wolves at bay. Court documents paint a portrait of a man in the throes of monetary despair, battling a divorce, and attending court hearings for unpaid legal fees. His former lawyer, Tania K. Harvey, is demanding a settlement of over $5,800 for services rendered that remain unpaid.
Backed by a legal team that’s keen on securing a financial rebound for him, Pazan is navigating through troubled waters. He’s currently in the process of refinancing his Beverly home in a bid to procure the necessary funds to settle legal dues and other financial obligations.
Pazan’s financial predicament is no recent drama. In the preceding year, Fifth Third Bank launched an unsuccessful attempt to recover a debt exceeding $4,000. Similarly, in 2022, JPMorgan Chase pursued him for debts upwards of $15,000, a situation resolved through settlement post-mid-2024, albeit amidst a backdrop of significant financial strain.
The city’s hiring protocol explicitly emphasizes barring recruits whose financial burdens might make them susceptible to corruption or coercive financial strategies. In this confounding saga, a misdemeanor count of retail theft weighs heavily against Pazan. He is slated to appear before the judge on June 23 in Bridgeview to address the allegations leveled against him.
These turbulent tides paint a picture far removed from the rosy narrative of an athlete-turned-cop seeking to make a meaningful difference. As Pazan’s legal woes unfold, it remains to be seen whether he’ll traverse this rough patch with the same tenacity and spirit once admired on the football turf. His journey, punctuated with tales of triumph and tumult, offers a sobering reflection on how quickly the arc of life can alter, reminding us that life indeed, doesn’t always play by the rules.