Thousands Line Streets To Give Paul Bauer Incredible Sendoff

CHICAGO, IL - The friends of family of Paul Bauer, along with police officers from departments near and far, laid to rest their loved one Saturday afternoon after a procession that brought out thousands from Chicago and near suburbs to the streets. Dropping temperatures and a late snowfall did nothing to limit the turnout as the procession progressed from Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Bridgeport through several city neighborhoods and some suburbs to Bauer's resting spot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

In Mount Greenwood, 111th Street became a blue haven with blue ribbons tied to just about every light pole and tree on the thoroughfare in the Southwest corner of the city. Neighborhood residents gathered in groups, mainly on the north side of the street, as a lengthy parade of police cars made its way on through. Two fire trucks provided a giant American flag salute as the procession hit 111th and Pulaski in Oak Lawn.

Signs reading "The 19th Ward Salutes Commander Paul Bauer - Thank you for your service" were in the windows of just about every business on the street. The outpouring continued past Mount Greenwood into the suburbs of Oak Lawn, Chicago Ridge and Alsip. Businesses changed the wording on their outdoor signs in memory of Bauer and a line of American flags were on light poles just outside the cemetery.

Before the procession hit Mount Greenwood, it flowed along the Dan Ryan Expressway and then through the neighborhoods of Morgan Park and Beverly. Scroll through the photos at the top of this story for more images from the funeral procession.

A man in the procession commented on a Beverly-Mt. Greenwood Patch Facebook Live video, thanking the community for the tremendous amount of support.

"We lost a great man," he said.

Bauer's life was remembered during a funeral mass at Nativity before the procession. There, Chicago Police Department First Deputy Superintendent John Escalante talked about having known Bauer since the two were growing up in Gage Park. Other police officers shared memories of Bauer, and political leaders Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner also spoke.

Bauer was a police officer in Chicago for 31 years, having rose in rank from patrol officer to his most recent post as Commander of the 18th District. Some in Mount Greenwood remember him personally from his time as a Sergeant in District 22 from 1994-1998.

"He will never be forgotten," said one of the officers who helped train Bauer when he was brought on the force in 1986. "During the year our paths crossed many times, as he was going up the ranks he was always the leveled headed person I knew from years ago."

Watch the procession from 111th and Pulaski below:

Folks in Mount Greenwood were out all day in tribute to Bauer, some showing up on 111th hours before the procession hit the neighborhood. Watch below as a large group gathers outside St. Christina Church and follow along west toward Pulaski.

More Patch Coverage

The Shooting

• Chicago Police Commander Gunned Down At Thompson Center (VIDEO)
• 4-Time Felon Charged With Murder (VIDEO)
• No Bail For Career Criminal Accused In Bauer's Fatal Shooting

Bauer's Career

• Cmdr. Paul Bauer: Learn How Slain Cop Spent 31-Year CPD Career
• Fallen Commander Worked In District 22 In Mid-1990s

The Aftermath

• Bauer's Wake Draws Thousands Of Mourners (VIDEO)
• Blue Ribbons And Flags Honor Bauer
• 'Chicago PD' Filming Near Slain Cop's Murder Scene Angers Some
• Cook County Jail Inmates Clap For Accused Killer (VIDEO)

Photos by Tim Moran / Patch