Page 35 - FOP June 2019 Magazine

cers standing at pillar-like attention at present arms was simply breathtaking and awe-inspiring.
The roll call of heroes announcing the names of police officers lost in the line of duty – including Paul Bauer, Samuel Jimenez, Conrad Gary and Eduardo Mar- molejo – would come in an hour. So to salute their brothers who made the ul- timate sacrifice that made them part of that call, Chicago Police Officers came to Washington – many of their own volition – for this roll call of respect. And in the process, they showed the world the un- paralleled courage, determination and bravery of the Chicago Police.
“I love that a lot of officers got the time to come and give support,” stated Anto- nia Gibowicz, who has been on the job for 17 years and is currently assigned to Headquarters Investigations. “I believe our presence tells everybody that we are here no matter what. It just gives the job more meaning because I’m part of the family and I’m here to help my sisters and brothers.”
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder-to- shoulder made all members present take notice of something special transpiring. If you were there, you know what it felt like.
Officer Thomas Baker, who has been on in 018 for 12 years and made his third visit to National Police Week this year, felt the sensation flowing through the Chicago blue line.
“It’s very touching and emotional to see the amount of officers here,” he ex- tolled. “The more of us out here, the more unity it brings.”
Department unity reached an excep- tional high note with the inclusion of Tiffany Vargas and her mom, Gail, in the Chicago contingent. Tiffany is in 022 and has been on for a year and a half. Gail works with Mass Transit and has been on for 25 years. Each made their first visit to Police Week this year, and they made it part of a Mother’s Day foray, which was three days earlier.
Gail is retiring next year, and she want- ed to create a legacy of respect and hon- or by making her first visit to Police Week with her daughter. After seeing the pres- ence, she realized just how powerful it is.
“I really have regrets for not being here before,” Gail commented. “I hope when the family members walk through here and see so many of us, they know how much we are here for them.”
Rest assured, mom. Your first visit has passed the importance on to your daughter.
John Pham, an officer in 014, was one of several Department members at Police Week wearing but- tons of tribute to fallen Chicago Police Officers.
“There are no words to describe it, honestly. It’s a humble feeling being here with everyone,” Tiffany assured. “I believe everyone should come here. I’m going to try and get a group from our dis- trict here next year to experience this.”
To know how personal this was for Chicago Police Officers, check out the experience Harriet Davis, a 21-year vet- eran who works in 002, had making her first visit to Police Week this year. Samuel Jimenez was one of her PPOs in 002. He was the last person she talked to at the end of her tour on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. The following day, Sam was killed in the Mercy Hospital shooting.
“I was just teasing him about his new haircut, since he was off status and cut his hair differently,” Davis recalled. “He was always there. He always had my back.”
She also knew Commander Bauer going back to before he made sergeant. She worked with Bauer in 022 for several years, and had just seen him a week be- fore the incident on Feb. 13, 2018, that
took his life.
Davis represented the posture of ev-
ery Department member who seemed to have some connection to Bauer, Jimenez, Marmolejo and Gary. That connection certainly brought her to D.C.
“We’re bringing closure to the year we just had, and hopefully the Archangel Michael will be watching over us,” Davis submitted. “I knew what it was going to be like coming here, and it’s measured up to be something that I always dreamed of.”
On the circle drive in front of the en- try to the Capitol grounds where the Na- tional Peace Officers’ Memorial Service took place, mounted units from agencies across the country stood guard. Amid all the officers on horseback, it was almost as if longtime mounted unit officer and commander Paul Bauer was on a mount there.
“Oh yeah, oh yeah. He’s always with us,” confirmed Tom Craig, an officer
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