Cadets in step with mom, dad

ST. JUDE MEMORIAL MARCH | 14 years ago they walked as kids -- now the Paoletti twins are police cadets

Fourteen years ago, 6-year-old fraternal twins Jim and Joe Paoletti participated in the St. Jude Memorial March with their mom and dad, both Chicago cops.

Sunday, the twins made a return appearance at the annual tribute to slain police officers -- this time marching as police cadets with their parents, Capt. James Paoletti and Sgt. Grayce Paoletti.

"It's quite a compliment to any parent when their child wants to emulate them," said Capt. James Paoletti, a 38-year police veteran. "It's a pretty proud moment for both myself and my wife, because you've seen these young children grow up into young men, trying to do the right thing and holding a very respectable job and position with the community."

Each marched with a different group Sunday: James with the Central District, 28-year police veteran Grayce with the Bureau of Professional Standards and Jim and Joe behind her with the rest of the cadets.

"It was a wonderful feeling," said Grayce Paoletti. "It was a proud day."

Following in their parents' footsteps seemed the right move, the twins said. They became cadets in November and went through the police academy.

"My entire life, I never wanted to do anything else," said Jim Paoletti, a sophomore at St. Xavier College, where his major is criminal justice. "I don't think I could handle being cramped up in an office all day long. I'd rather be out on the streets. I'd rather have what I do for a living have a positive impact on other peoples' lives."

Joe, also a sophomore at St. Xavier, said he didn't just decide one day to become a cop.

"It was something I always thought of and wanted to do more and more as I grew up," he said.

Reflecting back on the day 14 years earlier, Joe Paoletti said he remembers at the time thinking, "It was kind of neat, because you got to be around the other police officers. They were a lot bigger than you. But you kind of looked up to them. They were like heroes in your eyes. . . . Everyone was real accepting, and let us march like we were one of them."

At Sunday's march, "It came full circle," Jim Paoletti said.