Page 32 - May 2018 FOP Magazine

The Chicago Police Department’s Bagpipes & Drums of the Emerald Society performed a rousing tribute to fallen officers.
UNFORGETTABLE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31
June 8, 1968 tragedy made her want to be a police officer.
“I became a police officer because I felt that if there were more of us who cared about one another, we would try to change the lives of those who we’re out there protecting and serving,” she explained. “And maybe that way nobody would ever have to go
through what we went through.”
Denise Domagala went through it, and the Lodge 7 Memori-
al Service provided a much-needed affirmation after 29 years. Bernie was shot on July 14, 1988 and lived in two traumatic brain injury facilities before having his pain end on Sept. 5, 2017.
Denise described the impact of the memorial service as a
happy sad day eliciting a very important emotion for her. “Finally,” she exclaimed. “It’s been 29 years, so it means a lot to have him recognized and honored now. He would be proud, but he would be saying, ‘All these people are here for me?’ It
would be hard for him to believe, but he is watching now.”
As the names added to the memorial this year were revealed, Denise Domagala embraced Erin Bauer with one of those hugs that only police wives know. Here was the moment to remem-
ber that Erin said made the ceremony so beautiful.
“To see Paul’s name in stone is hard,” Erin shared. “But the way people have been coming up to me, it’s very touching. The whole ceremony has been beautiful, and it’s definitely an hon-
or.”d
32 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MAY 2018