CHICAGO (CBS) — Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca was remembered Monday like a rock that guided friends through the storms of life – wise, courageous, dedicated.
His family and friends said he was larger than life, a good friend, and humble with a tender heart.
A crowd of hundreds paid their respects Huesca Monday at his funeral. A fundraiser followed Monday evening at the Chicago Plumbers Union Hall, 1340 W. Washington Blvd.
Every ticket sold and every dollar raised went to one cause: supporting the family of Officer Luis Huesca, whose photo hung in the auditorium as a reminder of his ultimate sacrifice.
Rick Caballero, a retired Chicago police officer and founder of the Brotherhood for the Fallen, helps organize social fundraisers days after officers are killed in the line of duty.
“Everything goes to the family tonight,” he said.
Caballero added that the events are helping the healing process for everyone.
“It seems like it’s happening more and more,” said Chicago Police Department instructor Scott Florez. “Just trying to raise as much money as possible and show our brotherhood and sisterhood.”
The money raised will go to Officer Huesca’s family, who celebrated and remembered him earlier in the day.
Chicago police officers and fellow officers from around the country gathered outside the St. Rita Cascia Shrine Chapel on the Southwest Side to salute Huesca’s casket before packing the shrine for a funeral ceremony.
“You will always be my best friend,” said the officer’s brother, Emiliano Huesca Jr.. “I always looked up to you because you were wise beyond your years.”
Officer Christian Calderon, Huesca’s partner and best friend, said his death “feels like a nightmare.”
“We weren’t just partners. We were brothers; inseparable in duty and in life. Beyond the badge and uniform, Luis was my rock, my card. He guided me through life’s storms and helped me become a better version of becoming myself,” he said.
Officer Huesca, Officer Lucia Chavez, and Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso in 2017, they all became Chicago police officers and fast friends.
“I lost Andres first, and now Luis,” Chavez said. “I lost my two classmates; my best friends; my brothers.”
Huesca, who loved to travel and learn languages, was shot multiple times in his driveway.
Just over a year ago, academy classmate Vásquez Lasso was murdered while responding to a domestic call.
“Andres said this uniform is not a symbol of ‘us versus them,’” Chavez said. “I would like to invite the community to pray for Luis’ family.”
And as police searched for the person responsible for the young officer’s murder, his loved ones were desperate for closure.
“I wait impatiently for justice, and until then I will not feel any sense of closure. And I am confident that the CPD and everyone here today will serve that justice,” said friend Karim Ismat. “My brother, my hermanomay your soul rest in peace.”
