‘A day of remembering’: Chicago police honor fallen officers at candlelight vigil

CHICAGO (WLS) — Maria Marmolejo stood in Chicago’s Gold Star Households Memorial and Park, as she did years in the past.

“I respect days like this, as a result of it is only a day of remembering,” stated Marmolejo, the Gold Star Households chairwoman. “There’s 595 names on that wall.”

A kind of names was that of her husband, Officer Eduardo Marmolejo. His watch led to 2018, when he was struck and killed by a prepare within the line of obligation.

“Not having the daddy of my kids, my husband, the son of my mother-in-law round to offer that smile, and he must be right here,” Marmolejo stated.

Earlier that very same 12 months, now 17-year-old Grace misplaced her father, Commander Paul Bauer, who was shot to loss of life on the Thompson Heart whereas chasing a suspect.

“I did not know my dad’s approach that many individuals right here knew him. I knew him as a person who was actually good at math and likewise actually good at making Eggo waffles,” Grace stated.

His reminiscence and lots of of others have been honored tonight on the Chicago Memorial Basis’s nineteenth annual candlelight vigil close to Soldier Discipline.

“I at all times admired his high quality of dedication. I am positive a lot of you right here know the way devoted he was to his job, however he was much more devoted to his household,” Grace stated.

The Gold Star households, bonded by deep losses, stood along with lots of of different officers and supporters, decided to honor their work and the true that means of sacrifice

“Let’s replicate that day-after-day these brave public servants, who we honor tonight, reported for obligation realizing the tolls, the stress, the dangers of the job,” stated Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

CPD Supt. David Brown additionally spoke.

“We learn the names aloud, so the world will always remember their sacrifice,” Brown stated.