Fallen Merrillville cop honored with memorial

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (WLS) -- A community in northwest Indiana honored the life of a murdered police officer Monday afternoon a year after his murder.

Nickolas Schultz was killed September 2014 while on duty and his fellow officers, family and neighbors paid tribute to him during a ceremony in Merrillville.

"I just want to thank all these people for being here for us," said Richard Shields, Schultz's grandfather.

Schultz was the first Merrillville officer killed in the line of duty. The 24-year-old was shot September 5, 2014, while responding to a call involving an evicted man who had moved back into his condominium. He died two days later.

"One of the most difficult times as a chaplain for a police department is death of police officer," said Rev. Joe Vamos.

There was no mention at the ceremony of the offender, who took his own life. Instead, there were remembrances of an officer who was always front and center whenever he was needed.

"He was dedicated for duty, honor and country, to his community, to make it a different place and better place to live," said Chief Joe Petruch, Merrillville Police Department.

Plans have accelerated for a memorial to Schultz. Groundbreaking will take place in October for the structure.

The Merrillville Fraternal Order of Police helped spearhead the project as a tribute not just to Schultz, but to all police officers who work to make their communities safe.

"We all know what we're doing when we get the job, when we swear that oath to protect everybody," said Jim Bogner, Merrillville Police Department. "We have a lot of people that don't like us right now, that think that certain lives don't matter, but all lives do matter."