Hundreds gather at Bridgeport church for Cmdr. Paul Bauer’s wake

February 17, 2018 by admin
Filed under Choosing Lingerie

Hundreds of people formed a line three blocks long outside a Bridgeport church Friday for the wake of police Cmdr. Paul Bauer, who was shot and killed earlier in the week while confronting a suspect in the Loop.

Police officers from around the state and federal agents, including U.S. marshals, stood in the cold outside Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church to show their respect. Groups of officers from such places as Cicero, Waukegan, Park Ridge, Des Plaines and Oak Brook mingled with Chicago cops of all ranks.

Almost every home on the block displayed a blue ribbon in solidarity. A woman walking home told every officer she came across, “I’m sorry for your loss,” including the officers who stood in line outside her steps.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel came early, as did former Mayor Richard M. Daley. Also arriving were two other Daley brothers, Cook County Commissioner John Daley and former White House chief of staff Bill Daley. Former police Superintendent Garry McCarthy petted a police horse on the backside while greeting an officer outside the church.

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White said he knew Bauer and considered him a friend. The fact that Bauer took it upon himself to join in pursuit of a suspect shows how deeply Bauer took his responsibility to keep the public safe, he said.

“We lost a hero,” White said.

Inside the church, Bauer’s wife, Erin, his 13-year-old daughter, Grace, along with his father and sisters greeted the stream of well wishers who filed by the coffin. Flowers lined the church and family photos were on display.

Bauer, 53, was shot six times Tuesday near the Thompson Center downtown. His alleged killer, Shomari Legghette, is being held without bond.

Chicago police Deputy Chief Kevin Ryan, who was Bauer’s boss, said he could always count on him “to do the right thing for the right reasons.”

“He never broke the public trust,” Ryan said.

Ryan said “guys like Paul” represent “the real police.”

“It’s not always glamorous but every day he made a difference for somebody,” Ryan said.

Four officers from Milwaukee police department’s honor guard drove south to pay their respects. “It’s a brotherhood,” said Elvis Lock, one of the Wisconsin officers. “we consider this our family.”

Earlier Friday, dozens of police officers stood outside the doors of the church. The officers, along with members of the Chicago Fire Department, lined up in carefully ordered rows flanking the entrance of the building. Fifteen mounted officers lined up across the street from that group. All wore buttons on their coats bearing a photograph of Bauer.

The silver hearse containing Bauer’s body arrived at the church just before 12:30 p.m., led by four officers on foot. Swathed in a Chicago flag, the copper-colored casket was carried into the church by eight pallbearers, all from the Police Department, as those assembled outside saluted.

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson came out afterward to talk to reporters. He thanked the public for its support during what he said was a “very difficult” time.

“The healing process starts today for CPD and the family,” he said.

Johnson encouraged those attending the parade to be held in Bauer’s honor Saturday to wear blue in support of the late officer’s family.

The wake, which is open to the public, began at 3 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m. Friday at the church, at 653 W. 37th St. The St. Jude Police League will honor Bauer at 6 p.m.

eolumhense@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @essayolumhense

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