Police, loved ones gather in Des Plaines to honor Chicago officer killed in hospital shooting

Police officers, community members and loved ones filed into a Des Plaines funeral home in droves Sunday to pay their respects to slain Chicago Police Officer Samuel Jimenez.

Mourners gathered in large tents leading into the Oehler Funeral Home as they waited to honor the 28-year-old policeman, who was shot and killed Nov. 19 at Mercy Hospital in Chicago. Blue ribbons were tied to trees, fences and shrubbery along Miner Street, where officers braved the cold and snow to direct heavy traffic.

Danny Torres was among the crowds of Chicago police officers who came to support the family of their brother in blue. On his jacket, Torres wore a pin with a picture of Jimenez - their "fallen hero."

"It's devastating," Torres said. "Our hearts are very heavy at the moment."

The tragedy hit home for brothers Jay and Don Vincent, whose father, also a Chicago police officer, was killed in the line of duty in 1983. In the midst of their grief at the time, Jay Vincent said, his family received resounding support from organizations such as the 100 Club of Chicago that serve families of fallen first responders. They wanted the Jimenezes to feel that same consolation.

"We're here to support the Jimenez family," he said, "and also to make sure that the organization that helped (us) knows that we're here to help that family."

Jimenez, who was married with three children, joined the Chicago Police Department in February 2017 and had recently completed his probationary period. He and two hospital employees were fatally shot last week. The gunman killed himself after being shot by police.

Those who attended Sunday's wake traveled from Chicago, the suburbs and even across state lines, as was the case for Timothy Nelson of Oak Creek, Wisconsin. He stood outside the funeral home in the snow holding a large American flag to honor Jimenez.

Retired police officer Jim Smyth of Chicago said he didn't have to know Jimenez personally to know that he's a hero.

"People better wake up and know that these fine men and women in the police department are the good guys," he said. "They are the only people that stand between us and evil."

Jimenez's funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday in the St. Joseph Chapel at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine on the Maryville Academy campus, 1170 N. River Road, Des Plaines. Archdiocese of Chicago officials said Jimenez regularly attended Mass at the shrine with his family.

Cardinal Blase Cupich will be the main celebrant for the funeral. The Rev. Dan Brandt, chaplain of the Chicago Police Department, will accompany him.