Mercy Hospital Chicago Shooting: Funeral for fallen CPD Officer Jimenez to be held Monday
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The funeral for Chicago police Officer Samuel Jimenez, who was killed in the Mercy Hospital shooting, will be held Monday, CPD announced.
A wake is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner St. in Des Plaines.
The funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Chapel of St. Joseph at Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, 1170 N. River Rd., Des Plaines. A private burial service will be held at Ridgewood Memorial Park in Des Plaines.
'HE'S STILL ALIVE FOR ME,' SAYS SLAIN OFFICER'S MOTHER
Officer Jimenez's family is still processing what happened even as they make arrangements for his funeral. The 28-year-old who was there for so many was there for his family first, they said.
"It's hard to know he's dead. He's still alive for me. I feel that he's still alive," Jimenez's mother, Esther Rivera, told ABC7 Eyewitness News.
"My brother, he was the rock of the family. We're all broken right now but I know Sam will want us to be strong," said Jimenez's brother, Rafael Lugo.
Samuel Jimenez was the youngest of his siblings. Though he may have been the baby, his older brother said he was the strongest. And while the family worried about Jimenez as a police officer, they said they supported his dream.
"I would always call him. I would bless him 20 million times and tell him to take care of himself because his job was very difficult," she said.
"He went out as a hero," Lugo said. "I loved my brother. He did what he always wanted to do. He saved a lot of lives, too."
Lugo recalled a happier day, when he served as best man at Jimenez's wedding to his high school sweetheart.
"We have a tight bond, you know? My little brother, but I look up to him as my big brother," Lugo said.
Rivera has been comforted by the recognition her slain son has received.
"They have put my son on a pedestal. My son is now a bright star for the whole world, not just for his police station," she said. "His sergeant told me he is a hero and was a hero. He gave his life to defend the life of others. I'm very proud of my son."
Rivera and Lugo thanked those who have shared kind thoughts about Samuel over the last two days and said they are grateful for all the support they have received.
CITY RALLIES TO SUPPORT JIMENEZ'S FAMILY
Earlier Wednesday, the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation presented his loved ones with a check to help with expenses. The 100 Club of Chicago is also pitching in.
"It's on behalf of all of the Chicago police officers and all of the contributors to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation and it's helping the families out, that's the important thing here," said Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Executive Director Phil Cline. "That's what we want these families to know is that that don't have to go forward alone. We will always be there for them."
Tuesday night, the Edison Park community came together at the Firewater Saloon to hold a fundraiser for Jimenez' wife and three children. Officer Samuel Jimenez grew up in the area and his family is from there and friends and former colleagues were there in support.
WATCH: Police across Illinois pay tribute to fallen CPD officer
Meanwhile, blue ribbons wrapped around fences and poles will guide the way for thousands of runners through the neighborhood in an annual fundraiser on Thursday for the Police Memorial Fund.
"Had he not made that ultimate sacrifice, there would have been so many more people that may have been killed," said Melissa McIntyre of the Edison Park Chamber of Commerce.
"When everyone's running away from gunfire, that's Sam running towards it to help somebody that's screaming and crying for help," said Anthony Jahs, Jimenez' police academy classmate. "That's just who Sam is."
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Jimenez was killed in an exchange of gunfire on Monday afternoon at Mercy Hospital. He was trying to stop a man in a rage from killing more people.
The 28-year old-who just became a full-fledged police officer is being hailed as a hero.
Before he was Officer Jimenez, people in Edison Park knew him as a working boy with a dream. Jimenez was a student-athlete and choir member at Foreman High School, now known as Foreman College and Career Academy, in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood. He graduated in 2009. The school is set to honor Jimenez on Saturday, according to the Chicago Sun Times.
Years ago, Jimenez worked at Moretti's restaurant in the Edison Park neighborhood.
"When he was here, he was always looking to what he could do next to better himself," recalled Karen Kissane, a Moretti's manager. "He went to school, he had a plan, a goal. There were things he wanted to do, he wanted to achieve and he did that."
WATCH: Chicagoans gather to remember victims, call for change
On the eve of what may be a painful Thanksgiving for the victims' families, a small crowd gathered to bring light to what ended the lives of Officer Jimenez, Dr. Tamara O'Neal and pharmacy resident Dayna Less.
"Those are three individuals that are making a difference in this world," said Anthony Clark, who attended a vigil for the victims held in Federal Plaza Wednesday evening. "Those are three individuals who gave their lives to help others and now they're gone for something that could have been so preventable."
"These are really good people," said Margaret Sents, another attendee of Wednesday's vigil. "Surely we should value them enough to protect them with sensible gun legislation."
To donate to the Jimenez family, individuals can give to the 100 Club of Chicago, which supports families of fallen police officers and firefighters. Click here for more information.
Mercy Hospital has created a fund to support the families of both O'Neal and Less. Click here for more information.
