(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- For the first time in three years, the Chicago Police Department held its St. Jude Memorial March in person to honor fallen officers.
Grey clouds shrouded the somber ceremony as thousands of Chicago police officers marched in memory of the fallen. Superintendent David Brown called the 595 officers killed in the line of duty courageous.
"There are the names of men and women who will always have the thanks and the gratitude of a grateful city," he said. "We will never forget."
Police Chaplain Father Dan Brandt led the department in prayer and read the names of 59 police department members, who died since the last in-person march that was held in May 2019.
Gold star families held yellow roses as they sat in a position of honor for the event that was cancelled over COVID concerns twice. Among them were the widow of Commander Paul Bauer, who was killed in February 2018 and the mother of Officer Ella French, who was killed in August 2021.
"Having them here in person I think it means a lot to them. It certainly means a lot to us-to be able to thank them for the sacrifice they made," Brandt said referring to the family members.
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