Page 37 - FOP June 2019 Magazine

“Button Brigade.” Many officers wore buttons with the faces of one or more of Chicago’s fallen four, and Abner Rodri- guez, a detective in Area North, had all four pinned to his uniform. So did John Pham from 014, who made his 11th trip to Police Week. Suffice to say, Chicago Police Officers were buttoned up with a purpose at Police Week.
“It’s just to show that everybody here is wearing a button and will not let their names be forgotten,” Rodriguez ex- plained. “It’s as simple as that, and we remember them through the stories and how we knew them.”
Lodge 7 Field Representative Bob Bart- lett was among those in the Chicago line, and the SWAT officer spent the time shar- ing memories that cultivated an extraor- dinary camaraderie on this morning. Per- haps the best way to put the past year in the past was to be here.
“It lets them come to terms with coping with the losses,” Bartlett observed. “And you realize there are people out there that are behind you, there’s the support that you need and it makes you more willing to go out and do your job.”
Forming their own line of respect for the fallen at the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service were Attorney Gener- al William Barr, Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta, Secretary of Transportation Elaine
Lodge 7 Field Representative Bob Bartlett (second row, second from left) and Daniel Trevino (second row, fourth from left) with the Chicago contingent at the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service.
Chao, Acting Secretary of Homeland Se- curity Kevin McAleenan and President Trump. In his address during the service, the president called for ambushes on po- lice officers to end and expedited prose- cution of those who kill police officers. Fair, but fast, the president advocated.
After the applause finally faded follow- ing that contention, President Trump of- fered some words of inspiration to aptly precede the roll call of heroes.
“We’re here to remember their noble lives, to thank God for their profound courage, and to express our love, respect and everlasting gratitude for the heroes
of law enforcement,” he said. “And that’s what they are: the heroes of law enforce- ment.”
After witnessing it all, 18th District Of- ficer Parrish Sevier realized why his first trip to National Police Week in 23 years on the job will stay with him for the rest of his life.
“The experience of seeing officers com- ing together as one,” Sevier reminded. “I love to see this many officers collaborat- ing together. It kind of gives me more se- curity knowing that everybody can work together and achieve a little more.”
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