Fox Lake students return to school wearing black, blue to honor slain officer

FOX LAKE, Ill. (WLS) -- Students in Fox Lake returned to class on Thursday morning for the first time since Lt. Joe Gliniewicz was shot and killed Tuesday.

Fox Lake students were encouraged to wear black and blue in honor of the slain officer both at school Thursday and at Friday's high school football game.

Schools were on lockdown Tuesday as federal and local authorities searched the area for any sign of the three men who shot and killed Lt. Gliniewicz. Students returned to supportive staff members aiming to make the transition back to class as easy as possible.

Fox Lake schools were closed Wednesday as the manhunt continued and there is a lingering unease as parents return their children to classrooms without any resolution in the case.

"It's difficult 'cause you're always wondering where they're at and if they're going to get away with it. You hope that they don't. But yet you can't let that stop you from moving forward and destroy our community," said Amy Gersy, a mother of three.

"The two boys, one in Grant and one here in Stanton, seem to clam up about it. The girls are a little more open. And, yeah, they're a little fearful," said George Doughty, a father of six.

Doughty went to high school with Lt. Gliniewicz. They met the day Doughty walked into his freshman year classroom in 1979. He is among the hundreds grieving the loss of their friend, colleague and community member.

Many gathered at a lakefront park Wednesday evening to honor Gliniewicz and show support for his wife of 26 years and their four sons.

Mel Gliniewicz told the crowd Joe was her best friend, her hero and the love of her life.

Residents have also been paying tribute to Lt. Gliniewicz by tying blue ribbons to trees and posts.