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Memorial Service Pays Tribute To Cook County's Fallen Police Officers

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A couple hundred people gathered in a west suburban forest preserve Monday morning to remember police officers who have been killed in the line of duty in Cook County.

Since Cook County was incorporated in 1831, 737 police officers have been killed in the line of duty, according to Edward Sajdak, president of the Peace Officers Memorial Foundation of Cook County.

"We regard our law enforcement officers just like our military personnel. We leave no one behind. We never forget," he said.

The foundation is halfway to its goal of raising $3 million for a permanent memorial in Cermak Woods in Lyons.

"You never can forget them. I worked with Donny Marquez from Chicago back in the day, and poor Donny left us in a tragic way, and he's on my mind all the time," Lyons Police Chief James Keating said.

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Chicago Police Officer Donald Marquez was shot to death in 2002 while serving a Housing Court warrant to a 77-year old man who was killed in the subsequent exchange of gunfire with police.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said it's important to keep in mind how "outrageously dangerous" the job of police officer is.

Lyons resident Mary Kalfas attended the memorial service and said she comes every year.

"I think it is my duty to come here and honor the people who have given their lives to support us," she said.

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