Photo gallery: Chicago mourns the death of Commander Paul Bauer
Mounted police lined the street to salute their fallen commander as his body is carried away. (Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)
Firemen raised a flag over the Kennedy Expressway as his body was carried to the Cook County Medical Examiner. (Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)
(Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)
Officers held a candlelight vigil for Bauer outside CPD’s 18th district office the night he was killed. A new police and fire training facility in West Garfield Park will now be named after Bauer. (Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)
Bauer’s remains, wrapped in a Chicago flag, are carried into a Bridgeport church by CPD leadership. (Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)
(Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)
Top CPD brass and beat cops alike honored Bauer at the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Bridgeport. (Photo courtesy of the Associated Press)
On Feb. 13, Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer was at the Thompson Center at 100 West Randolph Street for training when he heard officers call for assistance in apprehending a fleeing suspect. Noticing the subject running by his squad car, the commander gave chase.
Bauer, 53, chased the suspect, Shomari Legghette, up a stairwell, where the two struggled. Legghette, a four-time felon drew a handgun and fired seven shots, mortally wounding Bauer, according to The Chicago Tribune.
A 31-year veteran of CPD and commander of the Near North Side police district, Bauer was remembered for being a brave leader who the rank-and-file held in high esteem.
Bauer’s name joins more than 580 others from CPD who have died in the line of duty.
The wake and funeral were held on Friday and Saturday, respectively, near his home in Bridgeport, where Bauer also grew up.
Surviving Bauer is his wife, Erin, and his 13-year-old daughter, Grace.
