Fallen Chicago police officers honored at National Police Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. (WLS) -- Four fallen Chicago Police Department officers were honored in Washington, D.C. Sunday as National Police Week begins.
CPD Commander Paul Bauer and Officers Samuel Jimenez, Eduardo Marmolejo and Conrad Gary all died in the line of duty in 2018.
The families of the fallen officers can now see the names of their loved ones on the National Police Officers Memorial wall.
Several events were held for the families to commemorate the lives of the officers, including a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The trip to the nation's capital isn't one the officer's families ever wanted to make. Being there means they've lost a loved one in the line of duty.
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"I didn't ever think that I would have to go through what I'm going through. I didn't think I would have to see his name on any of that," said Crystal Jimenez, the wife of Samuel Jimenez.
Superintendent Eddie Johnson greeted the wives, children, and parents of two late Chicago police as they arrived at the airport in Washington, D.C. Saturday.
RELATED: Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson reflects on year of loss
"We've had a lot of conversation trying to prep them on what to expect and just to let them know we'll be there with them every step of the way," Johnson said.
The families of Chicago's four fallen officers will be in the close company of hundreds of others who know that same pain.
"We relate so much, said Jimenez, "we talk about our husbands all the time."
Officers and families who've suffered the same loss around the country are now together in Washington remembering the men and women who died in uniforms like theirs.
RELATED: Chicago police share emotional video tribute to 4 slain officers
