Page 34 - October 2015

The Thin Blue Lights
Memories of officers shine brightly at CPMF Candlelight Vigil
n PHOTOS BY JAMES PINTO
No other night seems to shed such a majestic and emotional light on Chicago like the Candlelight Vigil.
The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s 12th Annual Vigil on Sept. 16 was truly a bright night when law enforcement officers, family members, friends, dignitaries and members of the community gathered at Gold Star Memorial Park to remember the 574 Chicago Police Officers who have been lost in the line of duty and those who were also catastrophically injured.
The blue light not only magnified the overflow crowd that came out but reflected the support of many business owners, sponsors and other supporters of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation (CPMF). The Blue Cross/Blue Shield Building and Soldier Field were among the venues to shine the same blue lights that each attendee held to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice
“It was a night to help us honor our promise to never forget,” said John Gordon of the CPMF. “That’s our goal and we all feel like we proved it on this night. It was also great for the families of the fallen officers because it gives them a chance to interact with each other, and it’s important that these officers who made the sacrifice never be forgotten.”
The Candlelight Vigil is personal for Gordon, whose brother, Michael, a CPD officer, was lost in the line of duty 11 years ago.
Gordon has read his brother’s name during the roll call of fallen officers in past years, but this year he asked Michael’s 16-year-old son, Cullen, to read Michael’s name. Cullen also served as the keynote speaker.
“He doesn’t have a lot of memories of his dad, and he’s at the age where it was good for him to do this,” Gordon added. “It was pretty emotional.”The Vigil also included remarks from Chicago Police Memorial Foundation Executive Director Phil Cline, Chica- go Police First Deputy Superintendent Al Wysinger and Kurt Kaner, chairman of the Gold Star Families. Michael Wrobel, whose life was saved by his bulletproof vest when he was shot during a shootout with a gang member on the South Side in 2014, also spoke about the Foundation’s “Get Behind the Vest” campaign.
Following the presentation, family members, including spouses and sons and daughters of officers killed in the line of duty, stepped up one by one to read each of the names of the 574 honored at Gold Star Park. The events began with Chicago Police Department Honor Guard presenting colors and recruits from the Chicago Police Academy parading in carrying pictures of the fallen officers attached to long wooden stakes.
Prior to the Vigil, a reception was held at Soldier Field. Channel 7 Eyewitness News Anchor Ron Magers served as emcee for the event.
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