For hundreds, Fox Lake police station was place to salute Lt. Gliniewicz
When Jennifer Raynor's car hit a tree about 30 years ago, the first person to come to her aid was a young Fox Lake police officer named Charles Joseph Gliniewicz.
So, when services for the fallen police lieutenant were held Monday at Antioch High School, Raynor wanted to be there. But road closures and an overwhelming turnout by the community made that impossible.
Instead, the Fox Lake-area resident joined hundreds of other mourners who gathered to say goodbye where Gliniewicz spent his three decades in law enforcement - the Fox Lake Police Department.
"He saved my life," said Raynor, adding Gliniewicz gave her the nickname "Jefiner" after their two families got to know each other over the years. "I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for him."
It was a solemn scene in front of the police station along Route 59 as the long funeral procession made its way through Fox Lake and Antioch to Hillside East Cemetery in Antioch.
There was a certain weariness among the crowd that waited until 4:30 p.m. when the long line of police vehicles leading the funeral procession finally arrived.
Many said out loud "Thank you" and "God bless you" to the passing police vehicles, while others placed their hands over their hearts. A smattering of applause and cheers broke out whenever a Fox Lake-branded vehicle passed.
A few balloons were let go once the hearse passed the police station. And the teary-faced drivers and passengers in cars following the hearse hammered home the personal loss of Gliniewicz for his life in service to law enforcement.
Kim Zabresay of Round Lake Beach showed up around 1 p.m. with friends and family to watch the funeral procession even though she received a text message from her spouse, who works for the Lake County sheriff's office, that the funeral service hadn't started yet.
Though her 16-month-old daughter, Isabella, had already outgrown her T-shirt with the text "My Mom is a Police Officer. What Super Powers Does Yours Have?" Zabresay decided it was the only appropriate shirt her daughter should wear.
Zabresay reflected on the risks faced by everyone working in law enforcement.
She said that when she hugged her spouse goodbye Monday morning, "you realize that's probably what he (Gliniewicz) did, too."