Brave son of slain Illinois cop helps carry his casket as hundreds of mourners gather for emotional funeral and the manhunt continues for his killers

  • Fox Lake Lieutenant Joe Gliniewicz was shot dead on Tuesday morning
  • Gliniewicz, nicknamed 'GI Joe', was honored in a funeral on Monday
  • His son helped carry his 52-year-old father's casket before the procession
  • The father-of-four was honored at Antioch Community High School, where hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects

Hundreds of mourners gathered at an Illinois high school on Monday to pay their respects to a longtime suburban police officer who was fatally shot last week. 

Services for Fox Lake Police Lt Joe Gliniewicz, 52, were held in his hometown at Antioch Community High School, where the officer graduated in 1981 and just a few miles from Fox Lake.

One of Gliniewicz's four sons served as a pall bearer when his father's casket arrived at the high school. Standing at the front of the casket, he walked among several police officers as they carried Gliniewicz into the building.

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One of Fox Lake Police Lt Joe Gliniewicz's four sons (center, maroon beret), serves as a pall bearer carrying the body of his father as it arrives at the Antioch High School for his funeral in Antioch, Illinois, on Monday

One of Fox Lake Police Lt Joe Gliniewicz's four sons (center, maroon beret), serves as a pall bearer carrying the body of his father as it arrives at the Antioch High School for his funeral in Antioch, Illinois, on Monday

The flag-draped casket of  Gliniewicz arrives at Antioch Community High School for his visitation and funeral service on Monday

The flag-draped casket of Gliniewicz arrives at Antioch Community High School for his visitation and funeral service on Monday

Hundreds of mourners gathered, many of whom were police officers, gathered to pay their respects to Gliniewicz

Hundreds of mourners gathered, many of whom were police officers, gathered to pay their respects to Gliniewicz

Gliniewicz was shot on Tuesday while chasing three suspicious men on foot in Fox Lake, northwest of Chicago. The search for his killer continues

Gliniewicz was shot on Tuesday while chasing three suspicious men on foot in Fox Lake, northwest of Chicago. The search for his killer continues

The officer's wife of 26 years, Mel, received hugs from a line of officers and other mourners beside a stage displaying a dress uniform and a folded American flag.

The 52-year-old officer was shot on Tuesday while chasing three suspicious men on foot in Fox Lake, northwest of Chicago. The search for his killers continues. 

Gliniewicz reported the chase, describing the men only as two two white men and a black man, to dispatchers before communication was lost. Backup officers arriving minutes later found him shot.

FBI technicians are piecing together surveillance videos to help in the search.

The 30-year police veteran was nicknamed 'GI Joe' and was the father of four adult boys. 

About 50 police officers lined up outside the high school to salute Gliniewicz as his casket arrived for the funeral

About 50 police officers lined up outside the high school to salute Gliniewicz as his casket arrived for the funeral

Officers salute as the flag-draped casket carrying Gliniewicz arrives for the funeral in Antioch, Illinois, on Monday

Officers salute as the flag-draped casket carrying Gliniewicz arrives for the funeral in Antioch, Illinois, on Monday

Police officers salute as the casket of slain Fox Lake police officer Lt. Joe Gliniewicz as it is brought to Antioch Community High School

Police officers salute as the casket of slain Fox Lake police officer Lt. Joe Gliniewicz as it is brought to Antioch Community High School

Thousands of mourners, including police officers from across the country are expected to visit Fox Lake on Monday and attend the funeral procession, according to USA Today

His loss 'has left a large void in our community,' a statement on the Fox Lake website said. 'Our hearts are very heavy.' 

The procession will drive through both Fox Lake and Antioch, passing many schools that he and his four boys attended. He worked with the schools' Explorers program, which gives young people an up-close look at law enforcement.

An 18-mile procession beginning after Gliniewicz's funeral will wind its way from Fox Lake, about 60 miles northwest of Chicago, through Lake County.

Police officers and other mourners gathered, some carrying American flags, for Gliniewicz's funeral in Antioch

Police officers and other mourners gathered, some carrying American flags, for Gliniewicz's funeral in Antioch

People arriving to pay respects to Fox Lake Police Lieutenant Joe Gliniewicz wait in line on the American flag-lined sidewalk outside Antioch Community High School

People arriving to pay respects to Fox Lake Police Lieutenant Joe Gliniewicz wait in line on the American flag-lined sidewalk outside Antioch Community High School

As the casket arrived at the high school, a lit sign in front of the building read, 'Thank you for your service Lt. Gliniewicz'

As the casket arrived at the high school, a lit sign in front of the building read, 'Thank you for your service Lt. Gliniewicz'

The procession will end at Hillside East Cemetery in Antioch, where Gliniewicz will be buried.

'He lived here,' Antioch resident Scott Pierce told WGN-TV. 'His kids went to school here. He worked in Fox Lake but he was part of our community, too. I think it's important for Antioch to show how important he was and how important our police officers are.' 

On Wednesday, Gliniewicz's wife Mel bid her late husband an emotional farewell at a vigil in Fox Lake, which was attended by the couple's four adult sons.

'Joe was my best friend, my world, my hero, the love of my life for the last 26 and a half years,' the widow told hundreds of attendees, NBC reports.

'He was my rock as much as I was his rock. Every night, he came home to me. He was the most wonderful, caring and loving father to our boys. 

'My world got a little smaller with his passing, and he will truly be missed by all of us. Thank you, everybody.'

Andreas Guereca salutes in his Chicago police uniform as he stands outside Antioch Community High School during the wake and funeral

Andreas Guereca salutes in his Chicago police uniform as he stands outside Antioch Community High School during the wake and funeral

The casket slain Fox Lake police officer Lt. Joe Gliniewicz arrives at Antioch Community High School for his visitation and funeral service

The casket slain Fox Lake police officer Lt. Joe Gliniewicz arrives at Antioch Community High School for his visitation and funeral service

Mrs Gliniewicz was joined on the stage by her children, who held her arms and comforted her as she wept.

At the end of the speech, attendees - many of whom were donning police uniforms and waving American flags - burst into heartfelt applause.

The service was organized by the Northeast Illinois Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and held at Lakefront Park, according to local reports. 

Motorola Solutions, a local company, has announced a $50,000 award for information that leads to the arrest of the suspects who killed Gliniewicz. 

Gliniewicz, retired as a first sergeant in the US Army Reserve and earned several awards and commendations in the police department, including a medal of valor.

A small memorial sits in front of the funeral home handling the arrangements for Gliniewicz before his wake and funeral on Monday

A small memorial sits in front of the funeral home handling the arrangements for Gliniewicz before his wake and funeral on Monday

The casket of slain Fox Lake police officer Lt. Joe Gliniewicz is removed from Strang Funeral Home for transport to Antioch Community High School

The casket of slain Fox Lake police officer Lt. Joe Gliniewicz is removed from Strang Funeral Home for transport to Antioch Community High School

The American flag-draped casket containing the body of Fox Lake Police Lieutenant Joe Gliniewicz leaves the funeral home for the officer's wake and funeral procession 

The American flag-draped casket containing the body of Fox Lake Police Lieutenant Joe Gliniewicz leaves the funeral home for the officer's wake and funeral procession 

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