Apr 20, 2007 10:58 pm US/Central
Fundraiser Held For Cop Killed Near Metra Station
Still No Leads In Shooting Death Of Thomas Cook, First Metra Police Officer Killed In The Line Of Duty
by Rafael Romo
MERRIONETTE PARK, Ill. (CBS) ―
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Officer Thomas Cook's widow, Pam, was overwhelmed by the show of support at Friday's fundraiser.
Officer Thomas Cook was gunned down in September while on duty near a Metra station in Harvey, Ill.
As CBS 2's Rafael Romo reports, thousands of friends, family and fellow officers attended a fundraiser Friday night to rally behind Cook's family. He was killed seven months ago, but it was clear that he has not been forgotten.
The bagpipes and drums of the Chicago Police Department's Emerald Society marked the solemn occasion.
The officer's widow was overcome by emotion by the overwhelming show of support.
"This is unbelievable. I mean, there's people that I don't even know that are coming here just for me and the family," said Pam Cook. "This is the best to honor him in any way. This is wonderful."
Cook was shot twice in the head as he was sitting in his car near the Metra station at 147th and Clinton streets in Harvey.
"Tom was one of those guys that you would love to have as a neighbor. I mean, very outgoing; just a gentleman all the way around," said Cook's police partner, Frank Manfredo.
Almost seven months have passed and there have been no arrests or new developments in the investigation.
But family members say they feel confident police will find the killer or killers sooner or later.
"We feel confident that they're going to achieve some closure for us," said Jim Reihel, Cook's brother-in-law. "I know that they're doing everything they can."
The show of support for the officer's family also includes letters from President George W. Bush and Senator Barack Obama, displayed during Friday's fundraiser.
Before working for Metra, Cook served in the Army and was also a police officer in Riverdale.
"He was a fun man; he was a happy man and he loved his family," Pam Cook said. "He did a lot of things for other people because he wanted to help them out."
Cook was the first Metra police officer to be killed in the line of duty. His late father, Charlie Cook, was the chief of police in Riverdale for 22 years.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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