Funeral held for Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew, killed in Swedish Hospital shooting
Described as proud, strong, and a family man, fallen Chicago police officer John Bartholomew was laid to rest on Friday.
Bartholomew's life was honored by family, friends, and fellow officers Friday morning at St. Andrew's Greek Orthodox Church.
It's a church with a family connection to the 10-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department. Bartholomew's grandfather once served as a member of the clergy at St. Andrew's.
The streets of Edgewater were packed and bagpipes echoed through the neighborhood as hundreds honored Bartholomew and offered condolences to Bartholomew's wife, Renee, and their three children.
Bartholomew was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 25th at Swedish Hospital by a robbery suspect who had sought medical treatment.
Along with top brass and officers from the Chicago Police Department, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, other elected officials, and officers from several neighboring police departments came out to pay their respects at Bartholomew's funeral.
He was remembered by his family and colleagues as a beloved son, husband, father, and brother, as well as a beloved member of the CPD community.
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling gave the first eulogy for Bartholomew, offering comfort to his department in the wake of the loss and speaking about the resolve Bartholomew's family has shown since his death.
"I see the strength and the resilience in his family. To Renee, thank you for your strength, your courage. You know, through it all, you've lost a loved one," Snelling said.
Bartholomew's brother, James, also spoke emotionally, taking mourners through the stages of grief the family has endured since his fatal shooting, from disbelief and unreality on the first day, pervasive sadness on the second day and anger and disappointment on the third day.
"He was my best friend. Now he's gone," he said. "It's as if an angel has left the Earth. If you knew him, you knew his heart was full."
Speaking on behalf of the family, James called his brother an angel with a pure heart of told, who loved his job.
"John wanted to become a peace officer, a police officer, to help people. That's it," he said. "I am eternally grateful that God gave me 38 years on this Earth with my brother. His love, his stewardship, and his memory will be with us forever."
Bartholomew was remembered not only for his heart, but as an unmistakable presence and eternal optimist by Chicago police commanders Jesse Alvarez and Allison Christian.
"I hope I can get through the passion that he felt for life and the way that he made people feel," Christian said.
"He answered the call without hesitation, without fear, because that is who he was," Alvarez said. "And to my fellow officers in the 17th and 24th District, the best way we can honor John is not just in words, but in action. We carry him with us every time we face the unknown, and every time we choose courage over comfort."
Bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" outside the church after the funeral as his casket stood with the Chicago flag draped over it, and there was a 21-gun salute before the flag was folded and presented to his widow.
After the service, the family took some extra time to say a private goodbye before a procession took his casket to the cemetery for a private burial.
Alphonso Talley, 26, is now charged with Bartholomew's murder and the attempted murder of his partner, Nelson Crespo, 57, a 21-year veteran of the department. Snelling has said Crespo faces a lengthy recovery process after he was shot in the chin, but he has shown signs of improvement since the shooting.
Talley also faces several other felony charges related to the shooting and an earlier armed robbery on April 25. He is being held in Cook County Jail while he awaits trial.
