May 6, 2007 11:21 am US/Central
Thousands Turn Out For Police Memorial March
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Thousands of people showed up in downtown Chicago Sunday morning to pay tribute to Chicago's fallen police officers, as part of the 75th Annual St. Jude Police Memorial March.
CBS 2's Mai Martinez was at the Gold Star Families Memorial and Park, where the event took place; some 6,300 law enforcement officers marched along the lakefront to remember Chicago's fallen heroes.
For the 75th year, thousands of Chicago's finest marched in honor of their fallen brothers and sisters.
"We're all in this together, not just the Police Department, but the Fire Department and the citizens of Chicago; and we like to support our own," said Chicago Police Officer Ward Bond.
Chicago Police Officer Josephine Hampton said, "I want to be here today because I want to pay tribute to all of the officers who have lost their lives and who have sacrificed the ultimate sacrifice."
This year marks a new beginning for the annual St. Jude Police Memorial March. After 75 years, it now has a permanent home: the Gold Star Families Memorial and Park, which includes a memorial wall with the names of every Chicago police officer killed in the line of duty.
Chicago Police Supt. Phil Cline said, "The fact that we have our own home now, that's great. The 520 names on that wall, that's why we are here. We're here to remember them and show the gold star families we support them and we'll never forget the sacrifice that their police officer made."
Family members of some of those fallen officers also marched Sunday alongside those paying tribute to their loved ones. Many officers marching said they are honored by their presence.
Chicago Police Det. Jon Harmening said, "It's always important to remember those left behind because they have to know they are still part of the police family. They are still part of us and we don't forget. We always remember."
Now that this memorial park is built, Supt Cline is urging everyone in Chicago to come out and give thanks to not only these fallen officers, but all police officers who in his words 'go to work everyday, not knowing if they're coming home.'
Saturday, about 2,200 people took part in the 3rd annual, 5K "Run to Remember." Proceeds from the event go to the Chicago Police Memorial Fund, which helps injured officers and the families of those killed in the line of duty.
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