Hundreds of police, community members gather for funeral honoring slain officer John Bartholomew

Hundreds of police officers and loved ones of slain Chicago police Officer John Bartholomew lined up outside of St. Andrews Greek Orthodox Church to say their final farewells Friday morning.

Bartholomew, 38, was shot and killed April 25 at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital, allegedly by a robbery suspect that he and his partner had brought there for an evaluation. The other officer was critically wounded. Bartholomew was a 10-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department.

Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling and other officers, wearing their dress blues and pins with Bartholomew’s pictures on them, waited outside the church to welcome Bartholomew’s family and pay their respects at the funeral on Friday morning.

Bartholomew’s family was welcomed into the church with the sounds of bagpipes and officers riding horses. Blue ribbons were tied to nearby trees and an American flag hung over the church at the end of a firetruck’s ladder.

Maria Cinta, wearing a black and blue t-shirt and a pin with Bartholomew’s photo, walked to the church from her Edgewater home to show support for the family.

“It’s beautiful to see how these officers get together to show their support for each other,” said Cinta, 30.

Cinta, who walked over with her baby in a stroller, said her husband recently joined the Cook County Sheriff’s Department and was sorry to hear of Bartholomew’s passing.

“As a mom, I know how hard it must be,” she said. “He died serving and protecting.

Kara Haller of Edgewater said she had never seen a police funeral and was surprised to see how many first responders showed up.

“It’s a sad and somber day and I think it’s impressive to see how much planning goes into this,” said Haller, 41.

Haller said she had been following the news since hearing of Bartholomew’s death and never expected to witness his funeral.

“I’m sorry to see it end up this way,” she said.

Alphanso Talley, 26, is facing murder charges in connection with Bartholomew’s death. Prosecutors said that Talley told police he swallowed drugs and was taken to Swedish Hospital, where he had a firearm concealed under a hospital blanket. Prosecutors haven’t said how they believe Talley brought the gun into the hospital.

Later, when Talley was brought to a room and his handcuffs were removed for a CT scan, he pulled the gun from under the blanket and fired, striking Bartholomew and his partner, according to prosecutors.

Bartholomew was pronounced dead at Illinois Masonic Medical Center. The other officer was shot in his face. He has shown signs of improvement since the shooting, according to Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara, who also was at the visitation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.