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less service, and he found that being the police.
“Lalo joined the CPD because he wanted to give kids in the
neighborhood like where he grew up a chance at a brighter fu- ture,” Superintendent Eddie Johnson remarked at the funeral Mass. “Because of his love and his dedication to his city, their future is brighter.”

Lalo loved posting videos to Snapchat, and not just of poop- ing. Becca’s soccer and basketball games were regular program- ming. Showing Maddie and Sophie how to catch the bad guys was another game he put up, and lately he wanted to show ev- erything that little Sophie was doing with Daddy.
Fellow officers in 005 loved getting his updates, for his love of life and everything in it became contagious. Serving the public and being the police meant so much to him because of what it took to get there.
Lalo’s parents left a small town in Mexico and journeyed through the desert to bring him to the Back of the Yards on Chicago’s South Side. Perhaps that was the initial climb that inspired his resiliency and desire to make it better – better for himself, his family and the amazing Maria.
Lalo met Maria through a mutual friend he worked with at Brown’s Chicken when he was 18. On their first date, they dis- covered they had the same birthday, Oct. 29. He probably didn’t need to put on that soccer uniform to win her love, but that was Lalo. When they found out they were having Becca, he turned his parents’ basement into an apartment for them, and together they climbed until finding a home in Beverly.
With Lalo’s unmistakable smile and Maria’s onmipresent laugh, they became the light for family, friends and their world. Halloween was always a big day, especially the costume contest they had at their party every year. One year, Lalo went as Hulk Hogan. Another, he and Maria went as Homer and Marge Simp- son. Somehow, he always won the contest.
There was a reason so many sisters and brothers in 005 want- ed to partner up with Marmolejo. He was that good of a partner. He even taught himself how to do the girls’ hair to help get them ready for school because Maria had to leave early for work.
When praising this journey during his remarks at the funer- al Mass, Mayor Rahm Emanuel choked up and appeared to be fighting back tears. He recognized what had made Eduardo Marmolejo the light of the world.
“Lalo wanted to be someone they all could look up to,” the
mayor said. “He wanted to bring honor to the sacrifice his family made walking through a desert to a better life here in Chicago.”

If the tributes flowing at the funeral Mass confirmed any- thing, it’s that Lalo might have been lost, but he is not gone. During his tribute, Lizarzaburo wanted to send some thoughts to Rasa. He asked, “If you don’t mind, I’m going to take a few minutes to talk to my boy real quick.”
What he said fortified the feeling of Lalo’s eternal presence, especially:
Rasa, you were my boy, the big brother I never had, the big brother you look up to, the one who is so cool that you wish you could be like.
The academy was one of my greatest times. Not because of the beginning of our career, but because of the memories I created there, and most of them were with you. Even after gym class, we would share towels or soap. We would be late to class because we had to make sure our hair was on point. We would share gel.
These are little things that brothers do. We never cared about sharing towels or soap or gel, because our friendship meant so much more.
I still wake up hoping to see that Snapchat logo or text message from you. My mind knows you’re gone, but my heart believes you are still here. Rasa, I know you’re in heaven smiling down, watch- ing us as we pray for you. Every day we pray for you. Until we meet again, in my heart I will keep you, friend. I love you, Rasa. You’re my hero.
Our thoughts are with Officer Gary’s and Officer Marmolejo’s families, friends and colleagues. We also send our deepest thanks to those who serve and protect us. You will never be forgotten.
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In Honor of Officers Conrad Gary and Eduardo Marmolejo
Condolences to the families and friends of Officers Eduardo Marmolejo and Conrad Gary and to our community mourning two true heroes.
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