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The funeral of Eduardo Marmolejo was the somber culmination of a terrible year. The funerals for Officer Marmolejo and his partner, Conrad Gary, were held on consecutive days at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chap- el, a beautiful large church on the South Side, adja- cent to the high school.
Both officers were married with young children, the image of them in processions more than heart- breaking. The eulogies given by family members, friends and fellow officers, though often filled with humorous remembrances, overwhelmed everyone.
The eulogy by Officer Marmolejo’s young daughter brought tears to everyone’s eyes as she spoke passionately about what her father meant to her.
Two days before, a steady rain had poured down upon the long line of mourners, who waited quietly in line to pay their respects. Officers from other districts throughout the city spotted old friends and partners and shook hands or exchanged hugs.
I have worked in two worlds as a Chicago Police Officer: the first as a beat cop in Englewood and the 9th District, where I was raised; the second, assigned to the City Council, with a front-row seat to observe what occurs in Chicago on a daily basis. The knowledge that I obtained while working there I still use today working for the F.O.P.
These two worlds come together rarely. In fact, there is far too often a disconnect between them. Too often, the leaders of our city fail to recognize the challenges that police officers confront on a daily basis. Until you “walk a mile” in our shoes, the average person cannot comprehend our job!
Glorious funerals like the ones for Officers Marmolejo and Gary bind this disconnect, and I am grateful for that. In 2018, we had four tragic examples of police officers sacrificing everything. The same recurring theme of great police officers, but even better fa- thers and role models. Fathers who, by example, showed their chil- dren how to become caring individuals who contribute to our soci- ety. Husbands who work long hours to ensure that their families are provided for and drive them to school prior to starting their shift.
These deaths show, more than anything, what police officers re- ally are: men and women with a powerful sense of duty and willing- ness to perform even under the toughest of times. These thoughts came to me during the funerals of both officers. There was no me- dia cacophony in the church, no rants from activists or other public figures.
Various people caught my eye during the service. Two pews in front of me sat the wife of Ben Perez, the daughter of Irma Ruiz and the grandson of Thomas J. Murphy, all there to pay their respects to the family. Phil Cline, Joe Ahern and former State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez were also in attendance.
At one point I scanned the church, looking for our current Cook County State’s Attorney, Kim Foxx, but I couldn’t find her.
Throughout the church, there were representatives from every part of the Chicago community—firefighters, state troopers and Cook County sheriffs. All of us stood together as one: command staff, elected officials and grateful members of the public.
All of us were bearing witness and acknowledging the sacrifices made before them.
Officers Gary and Marmolejo will be remembered fondly by all the people they touched.
First Vice President’s Report
Bridging two worlds
PAT MURRAY
8 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JANUARY 2019