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Fallen Officers Honored With Public Art Installation

(CBS) -- Seventy-five sculptures of horses -- each dedicated to a different slain Chicago police officer -- are beginning to appear along the Magnificent Mile.

One such sculpture was dedicated Saturday during a brief ceremony in front of the east tower of the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel, at 151 E. Wacker Drive.

Fallen Officers Honored With Public Art Installation

Seeing Officer Michael Ceriale remembered 16 years after he was shot to death while conducting drug surveillance at the CHA's Robert Taylor Homes was an emotional moment for his cousin, Joe, who is an Evanston firefighter.

"Michael only wanted to be a Chicago police officer. That's all he ever wanted to do," his cousin said, choking back tears.

The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation is working with local artists to produce the painted horse statues. When Peter Buck, a graphic artist-turned-police officer, was commissioned to create the horse in Ceriale's memory, it was an emotional moment for him as well. The two had been classmates at Gordon Tech High School.

"He sat behind me in a chemistry class. Why I took chemistry my senior year, I do not know," Buck said. "He was a junior, and he helped me through that class quite a bit. I don't think I would have made it through that class without him."

Foundation President and former Chicago Police Supt. Phil Cline said the horses will grace Michigan Avenue through the end of November. They'll then be auctioned by the foundation, with proceeds helping the families of murdered officers.

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