With large crowds expected Saturday morning at Cmdr. Paul Bauer’s funeral Mass and limited space inside the church, Supt. Eddie Johnson had a special request for the city of Chicago.
"The church is small, and we're expecting a very large turnout," Johnson said. "We just ask people if they want to support the Bauer family, to show up in numbers along the procession route ... and try to dress in blue."
For those who cannot attend but would still like to pay their respects and watch the Mass, NBCChicago.com will carry live coverage of the services right here starting at 10 a.m.
A wake for Bauer was held from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic church in the Bridgeport neighborhood.
Cardinal Blase Cupich, as well as Gov. Bruce Rauner and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, are expected in attendance at Saturday's mass.
After Saturday's services, a funeral procession will begin at the church, through the Bridgeport neighborhood, to the cemetery where Bauer will be laid to rest, the Office of Emergency Management announced.
The procession starts west from the church in the 600 block of West 37th Street, then heads south on Halsted, east on Pershing to I-90/94E, then to I-57 south to 111th Street to Holy Sepulchre Cemetery on 111th in Alsip.
"The healing process starts today for CPD as well as the family," Supt. Johnson said, "and this is going to be a difficult two days, but we can get through it. I thank you for your support."
