As the Chicago Police Department gets ready to lay Officer Krystal Rivera to rest, I have no words to adequately express my grief for her, her family, her friends, and her co-workers over this tragedy. With this being an incident of friendly fire, it in no way lessens the tragic loss. Certainly the family and friends standing over her casket, or the officers waiting in long lines, I know I’ve waited hours before, to pay their respects would agree with that statement.

And let’s not forget that she and her partner(s) were actively pursuing a wanted criminal, which clearly makes her death in the line of duty, not that I’ve heard that being called into doubt. But, in today’s society, I think it is worth saying in the event there was someone, and I use the term loosely, out there wondering.

I’m not looking to make a comment about what happened to Officer Rivera other than to say it was tragic and I share the sorrow and heartache being felt by department members and city residents alike.

Any loss is one too many, and the CPD has had nearly 600.

Reading the accounts of the incident and talking to former partners and colleagues have reminded me that there, but for the grace of God, go I.

Rest In Peace Officer Krystal Rivera.