Illinois Cop Laid to Rest While Manhunt Continues for Killers

Thousands of mourners gathered in Antioch, Illinois, on Monday afternoon to bury Fox Lake Police Lieutenant Joe Gliniewicz. In the background of this solemn event, other police officers continue to hunt for two white men and one black man suspected of murdering Gliniewicz.

Following the funeral, residents of the community gathered along streets lined with American flags to pay their respect to the officer who gave his life in the line of duty. Joan Church, a local resident, told CNN she came “to show our respect, for not only him, but for all the police that serve every day.” The flags were held individually by citizens of the community where he served.

CNN reporter Ryan Young captured the moment. “We’ve heard from so many people talking about the idea they wanted to be here to show their support, not only to this community, but to the officer’s family,” Young noted. “One of the things that stood out to us was all these American flags that are lining the route. People have been standing here for several hours to try to show their support to this community and family.”

“I hope it sends society a message that this needs to stop,” Kenosha Fire Department Battalion Chief Matthew Haerter told Young. “We all support each other and we can’t do it without the public’s help.”

Few details have been revealed about the shooting that left Lt. Gliniewicz lying dead in a marshy area of Fox Lake, according to CNN. The only descriptions of the suspects have been their race and sex.

The funeral was attended by hundreds of police officers, thousands of others, and Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. The governor had ordered the flying of all flags on government buildings at half-staff until Monday evening.

Commander George Filenko of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force said, “Based on what we’re seeing and some of the preliminary results in the videos, we’re believing and going into the direction that there is somebody within the police department here or within our investigative group that’s going to be able to identify these individuals.”

Lt. Gliniewicz’ .40 caliber handgun was found near his body. The gun had been fired, but it is not clear who had fired the gun.

The police lieutenant, known to many as G.I. Joe, served as a hero to members of law enforcement and the community. The 30-year police veteran, aged 52, was a leader of the local police explorers’ program. He leaves behind a grieving widow and four children forced to grow up without their father’s love.

Melodie Gliniewicz told a group of over 1,000 gathered at a candlelight vigil, “Joe was my best friend and my world—my hero.”

Bob Price serves as senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas and a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.