The 60-year-old officer was killed in the line of duty July 2, 2008 when he was shot on the city's North Side. The memorial service took place at the corner of Western and Belmont in Chicago at 1:50 a.m.
Saturday's ceremony recognized the 27-year police department veteran's sacrifice.
"Coming out here has a very big meaning for each and every one of us because we realize that he is not forgotten," said Chicago Police Dist. Cmdr. John Kenny. "The fact that people come out for this, they come out each year, we keep his memory alive. He lives on through us, and we know that any police officer who gives his life, he will be rememembered. He will be honored. He will have people he leaves behind who think about him every day."
Officers said they planned to gather each year to honor Officer Francis.
