DOWNERS GROVE — Downers Grove police displayed black bands on their badges and black ribbons on their squad car antennas Monday to mark the 39th anniversary of the death of Richard Barth, a Downers Grove officer who was killed in the line of duty.

On March 18, 1974, Barth was handling what appeared to be a "routine call" of two suspicious youths in what is now known as Hoopers Hollow Park, Downers Grove Police Chief Robert Porter recalled in a department letter last week.

"While he was questioning the youths, one of the subjects, Paul Fontani, produced a handgun and fatally shot Officer Barth," Porter wrote. "The two suspects were later arrested and convicted of first-degree murder. Unfortunately, both of the subjects are now out of prison."