Sep 18, 2006 11:08 pm US/Central
Thousand Remember Fallen Police Officers
520 Officers Honored At Memorial
by Mike Parker
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Hundreds of Chicago police officers who died were remembered Monday night.
Buildings downtown were draped in blue in a tribute to officers killed in the line of duty.
Along the lakefront in a
Gold Star dedication, the permanent memorial for the officers was officially dedicated.
As CBS 2's Mike Parker reports, thousands turned out to honor the men and women in blue.
It was a somber ceremony that began with police recruits carrying portraits of fallen officers, marching with others into the new park east of
Soldier Field.
More than 5,000 people – current and retired officers, families and friends – were waiting for them.
Chicago Police Supt. Phil Cline said the new park and memorial is a tribute, not just to how the officers died, but how they lived.
"They shared something special, a common dedication to service with honor and courage," Cline said.
The names of 520 officers were read, all of them died in the line of duty.
Among them was Gregory Young, who was shot to death by a robber in 1997. His widow is the president of Gold Star Families.
"It's very hard to get through grief, but I have a remedy for those of you are still going through it. Keep your faith," said Gladys Young.
Another name read was Harry Gray, who was killed in 1925. He is one of those inscribed on the wall of honor. His grandson was here.
"It's way past grief and things like that, but it's satisfying. It's comfortable," said Mike Gray.
The park and memorial was built thanks to $3.5 million in contributions from citizens and corporations.
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