Family and friends of 31-year-old Conrad Gary are saying goodbye on Thursday as a wake was held honoring the life of a fallen Chicago police officer.
Gary was one of two officers killed by a Metra commuter train while investigating a call of shots fired on Monday night. A visitation service is being held for him on Thursday at the Blake Lamb Funeral Home in Oak Lawn, where Gary grew up.
A somber line formed as hundreds of residents, police officers, and dignitaries gathered to pay their respects to the fallen officer.
Former cop and Chicago Alderman Ed Burke came to pay his respects, as did Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and former Alderman James Balcer.
“It’s difficult when we lose our members,” FOP President Kevin Graham said. “It’s difficult when we lose them in a senseless tragedy like this. They put the safety of the people of Chicago above their own lives.”
Gary spent five years working as a police officer in the Air Force and another year in the reserve before becoming a Chicago police officer a little more than a year ago.
Gary leaves behind a wife and a six-month old daughter.
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His funeral will take place on Friday morning at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel. His partner, Officer Eduardo Marmolejo, will have a wake service to honor his life on Friday afternoon, and his funeral will take place Saturday morning.
