Mercy Hospital Chicago Shooting: Chicago police mourn rookie Officer Samuel Jimenez
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Rookie Chicago police Officer Samuel Jimenez was remembered as a hero who ran into danger a day after he was fatally shot while responding to gunfire at Mercy Hospital.
Jimenez was one of three people killed by a gunman, identified as Juan Lopez, who was killed in a firefight with Chicago police. The other victims were emergency room Dr. Tamara O'Neal and pharmacy resident Dayna Less.
Jimenez, 28, joined CPD's 2nd District in 2017. He married his high school sweetheart and had three young children.
Tuesday morning, purple memorial bunting was hung at the 2nd District. Firefighters brought food and coffee to comfort his police brothers and sisters.
"It feels good. This is what we should be doing. They save us, they're here for us," said Alison Belz, who was in the neighborhood Tuesday night.
WATCH: Police across Illinois pay tribute to fallen CPD officer
RELATED: What we know about Mercy Hospital gunman Juan Lopez
Since the shooting, a police squad car has been parked outside the Jimenez family home. There were reminders of Jimenez every few feet in his neighborhood, with blue ribbons wrapped around fences and poles.
Monday night, officers stood at attention as an ambulance carrying his body passed in a procession to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.
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.
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."
Just months after his life's dream came true, Jimenez died in a gun fight at Mercy Hospital, trying to stop a jilted man from claiming more lives in an angry rage.
JIMENEZ RUNS TOWARD GUNFIRE
Jimenez was shot and killed by the gunman inside the lobby of Mercy Hospital. He was responding to shots fired while he and his partner were on their way to a different call.
"That's Sam. When everyone's running away from gunfire, Sam's running toward it to help someone screaming and crying for help," Jahs said.
Police were called to Mercy Hospital at around 3:30 p.m. after a gunman confronted O'Neal, who had recently broke off her engagement with Lopez.
Lopez shot and killed O'Neal in the parking lot and then ran into the hospital continuing to shoot, killing Less.
RELATED: Mercy Hospital Shooting: 4 dead,
including Chicago Officer Samuel Jimenez and gunman
Lopez exchanged gunfire with Officer Jimenez and other officers as he ran into the hospital. Jimenez was shot in the lobby. A second officer was also hit but the bullet hit his holster.
"Those officers who responded today saved a lot of lives because this guy was shooting that poor woman who had got off an elevator. Had nothing to do with nothing and he shot her. There's no doubt in my mind that all those officers who responded saved a lot of lives because we just don't know how much damage he was prepared to do," said Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson.
The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation said that they will present Officer Jimenez's family with a check for $60,000 to help with expenses. The foundation also said they will take care of any education-related expenses for his children.
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.
