Chicago residents are invited to sign sympathy books that will be given to the family of fallen police Commander Paul Bauer.
The books, which will be available to the public in the lobby of City Hall and in the lobby of the 18th Police District, were announced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Thursday morning.
"With wake and funeral arrangements set for Commander Paul Bauer on Friday and Saturday, residents can also honor the commander by leaving their remembrances in sympathy books for his family."
The wake will take place on Friday afternoon from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Nativity of our Lord Catholic church, located in the 600 block of West 37th Street. A funeral will be held at the church on Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m.
Residents of Chicago can help the grieving wife and daughter of a fallen Chicago police commander by making direct donations at any Chicago Patrolman’s Federal Credit Union, the department's superintendent says.
During a press conference announcing charges against Cmdr. Bauer's alleged killer, Chicago police Supt. Eddie Johnson took a moment to inform reporters how residents could donate to the fallen policeman's family.
“You can stop at any Chicago Patrolman’s Federal Credit Union location and donate to the Bauer memorial account, which will go directly to his wife and daughter,” Johnson said.
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Police later said donations can also be made at www.cpdmemorial.org.
The superintendent said Bauer's family paid the "ultimate price."
“The city lost a piece of itself and a family lost a loving father and husband,” he said.
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Shomari Legghette, 44, was charged with murder, armed violence, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, and drug possession after he allegedly shot Cmdr. Bauer to death near the Thompson Center on Tuesday afternoon.
Bauer was a 31-year veteran of the department and most recently served as the commander of the 18th District covering a large portion of downtown Chicago, the Near North neighborhood and parts of Lincoln Park.
A graduate of St. Ignatious College Preparatory, he earned his bachelors degree from Northern Illinois University as well as a Master of Public Administration degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Bauer joined the department in July of 1986. He served in the department's "elite" Mounted Unite on horseback. Horses in that unit are named for fallen officers.
Over his years of service, Bauer saw many promotions until eventually coming to the the 18th District in 2016 where he earned a reputation for leading by example and engaging with the community he served.
"Commander Bauer also made community outreach a priority, attending countless public meetings and hosting a monthly Coffee with the Commander meeting in his district," the department said in a statement.
He earned 67 award and honorable mentions, including two for crime reduction, the department said.
Bauer leaves behind his wife, Erin, and his 13-year-old daughter Grace.
