Suburban police head to Dallas in support of slain officers

Suburban communities will be represented in Dallas as a show of support for slain officers and their families as services for them continue Wednesday.

Police officers from Mundelein, Wauconda, Waukegan and Elgin are among those who will be in Dallas for services of the officers slain last week in the line of duty by a sniper. The shootings occurred during a peaceful protest of police killings of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota.

Officers Scott Clark and Eric Chrabot, members of the Mundelein police honor guard, left Tuesday morning for Dallas. Police Chief Eric Guenther said he put out an email of interest to honor guard members, who have special uniforms and training for such occasions, but limited participation to two.

"Every single one of them said they wanted to do it," Guenther said.

The officers originally were to have flown on Jet Blue, which was providing free service, but the spots were taken before arrangements could be finalized, Guenther said. Southwest Airlines is flying Clark and Chrabot for free and they are staying at the Dallas/Fort Worth Doubletree hotel at no charge.

"I was very impressed with the outpouring of support from the community and our business partners," Guenther said.

Wauconda Police Chief David Wermes said four officers left Monday for Dallas. All donated their time or are on their days off, he said, and friends of the department are putting them up for free.

Two funerals are scheduled for Wednesday morning and the others later in the week. Mundelein officers will be able to attend one of the funerals.

"I've been in this business for 22 years and sometimes you're at a loss of words of what to say," Guenther said of the circumstances. "Ï hope we never have to do this again."

Elgin also will be standing by the Dallas Police Department during this difficult time, Police Chief Jeff Swoboda said.

Officers Lisandro Ramirez and Andy Stein, members of the honor guard, volunteered to drive to Dallas, Swoboda said. They will be on regular duty time while in Texas, he said.

"When an officer is killed, we all feel it," Swoboda said. "The simple gesture of showing up when an officer is taken is important and meaningful for the grieving department and for the department sending representatives."

Eight members from Waukegan Police Department - two sergeants and six officers - also went to Dallas to pay their respects, department officials said.

• Daily Herald staff writer Elena Ferrarin contributed to this report.