Fithian v. Retirement Board of The Policemen's Annuity & Benefit Fund

Donna Fithian, petitioner and widow of Leslie G. Fithian, appeals the respondent’s, The Retirement Board of the Policemen’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago (Board), denial of on-duty death benefits. The circuit court of Cook County affirmed. The sole issue is whether the decisions are against the manifest weight of the evidence.

Leslie G. Fithian, petitioner’s husband and member of the City of Chicago Police Department, while at home in his bedroom, was allegedly installing a trigger shoe extender on a service revolver. The revolver discharged. A bullet passed through the upper abdomen.…