Thousands March In Annual Police Memorial

CHICAGO (CBS/WBBM) -- A couple thousand police officers and their families turned out at the Gold Star Families Memorial and Park - just east of Soldier Field - in the annual St. Jude march.

Leading the St Jude march: Chicago's Interim Police Superintendent Terry Hillard: A former superintendent of police who is a veteran of these marches, these days of remembrance.

LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Steve Miller reports

Hillard says last year was especially painful for the Chicago Police.

"Five police officers killed last year. But that's the profession that we're in. These are the young men and young women who walk the point for us day in and day out.

"They aren't soldiers, but they walk this point for us day in and day out, and at times, they're going to get hurt."

Killed during the past year: Chicago Police Sergeant Alan Haymaker, and Officers Thomas Wortham, Thor Soderberg, Michael Bailey and Michael Flisk.

In:
• Terry Hillard
• Thor Soderberg
• Michael Flisk
• Chicago Police Department
• Soldier Field
• Michael Bailey
• Steve Miller