Thousands attend visitation for Officer Sonny Kim
Public visitation held at Xavier University's Cintas Center
Police from numerous departments and citizens from varied neighborhoods streamed into Xavier바카라 게임 웹사이트s Cintas Center Thursday to pay tribute to Officer Sonny Kim.
The 48-year-old veteran District 2 officer was killed in the line of duty last Friday.
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As the gray sky reflected the grief of a community, a motorcade brought Kim바카라 게임 웹사이트s casket to the afternoon바카라 게임 웹사이트s five-hour public visitation.
Sunshine broke through the clouds as the line outside lengthened, but hundreds waited patiently and respectfully in the humid air for the doors to open so they could pay their respects.
Many knew Kim as an officer. There were also many who knew him as a mentor, a martial arts instructor and a role model for youth.
Previous story & coverage: Cincinnati police officer shot, killed in line of duty
Chris Flick and his two sons said the Sensei Kim they knew never dwelled on his police work.
In a halting voice choked with emotion, Flick spoke about what Kim meant to his sons.
바카라 게임 웹사이트Everything. From the way you behave to the way you treat others, the way you do things in school and in life,바카라 게임 웹사이트 he said.
There were many moving and mournful moments for the police family.
Cincinnati firefighters brought two ladder trucks to the front plaza, hoisting the American flag and the flag of the fallen officer at the entry.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, the state바카라 게임 웹사이트s top law enforcement official, came to pay his respects.
바카라 게임 웹사이트I think sometimes we forget how dangerous being a police officer is,바카라 게임 웹사이트 DeWine said.
Chong Hahn also made it a point to come by. He met Kim and his family at a Korean American church years ago and related how sad it was to see Kim바카라 게임 웹사이트s picture on the news accounts of his death.
바카라 게임 웹사이트He always cared about other people, and then very easy to communicate,바카라 게임 웹사이트 Hahn said.
The mood reflected a feeling of profound loss, not just for police, but for the whole community.
"I did not know him personally but I just hear so much about what he's done in his community. A man with a family and a loving wife and knowing I sense his heart that he has a heart to serve," Kennedy Heights resident Bernice Barkley said.
"He was, for me and for our church, something very special, and we (are) going to miss him a lot and we we give him respect. We pray for his family and I hope everybody does okay after this," Elena Cipollone said.
"I would say he is really, probably the best man I ever knew. I mean, he just exemplifies honor and integrity and care and love. He was just absolutely one of the best," Loveland resident Barb Stringer said.
Retired Assistant Chief Cindy Combs knew Kim and said he got it about policing. Combs called it surreal not having him around anymore.
바카라 게임 웹사이트The best we can do is to continue to carry on and try to live by the principles that Officer Kim did,바카라 게임 웹사이트 Combs said.
Service to others summed up the stories told about Kim from those who go way back with him, like Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters.
바카라 게임 웹사이트This is an unspeakable tragedy for not just the Police Department and the Prosecutor바카라 게임 웹사이트s Office, but the entire community. As good as he was as a police officer and a witness in court, he was I바카라 게임 웹사이트m sure a hundred times better as a father and husband,바카라 게임 웹사이트 Deters said.
His wife, Jessica, and three sons Tim, Joshua and Jacob drew on a lot of support Thursday and were said to be doing as well as could be expected. Their loved one will be buried Friday after a funeral ceremony that could draw police from perhaps every state in the nation.
Police anticipate 500 cruisers will be in the funeral procession from Xavier University to Gate of Heaven Cemetery. They also expect a minimum of 200 police motorcycles to be a part of the procession.
As for Thursday바카라 게임 웹사이트s turnout, Pastor Carl Whittaker of Evanston said, 바카라 게임 웹사이트This display is just beautiful because it shows the type of person that he was, to draw this kind of capacity and crowd.바카라 게임 웹사이트
One woman distributed specially-made lapel buttons with Kim바카라 게임 웹사이트s picture and name. Another citizen passed out 400 bumper stickers that read: 바카라 게임 웹사이트Police, We Thank You."
Kim's funeral begins at 11 a.m. Friday at the Cintas Center. It is open to the public. There will be no designated tickets or guaranteed seating. The doors will open at 9 a.m. and attendees should plan on being seated by 10 a.m.
There will be seating for 800 police officers, dignitaries and members of the Kim family on the center floor. Members of the public will be allowed to sit in the upper sections of the arena.
Organizers said no cameras or video recording devices of any kind are permitted in the arena.
Immediately following the funeral, there will be a procession to Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Montgomery. City leaders met Monday to discuss funeral logistics.
The public was encouraged to line the 16-mile funeral procession route on Montgomery Road between the Cintas Center and the Japanese Karate-Do dojo and Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The ramps from east and west Interstate 275 will be closed from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. for the funeral procession.
Mayor John Cranley asked all U.S. flags in the region be flown at half-staff until Kim바카라 게임 웹사이트s funeral. He's also asking people to wear something blue Friday to honor Kim.
The Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home is handling plans for the Kim family.