Families of Chicago police officers killed in the line of duty find solace on Lake Michigan boat cruise

It’s known as the greatest club that no one ever wants to be a member of.

Because to join the Gold Star Family you need to be related to a Chicago officer who died as a result of performing police duties.

On Sunday, 163 members boarded a cruise ship for an annual two-hour voyage on Lake Michigan that included lunch, drinks and dancing.

The venue was especially heartrending for the newest member of the club, Crystal Jimenez, 28, whose husband, Samuel Jimenez, also 28, died a hero six months ago when he rushed into Mercy Hospital to confront a gunman and interrupt a mass shooting that could have been much worse.

The Chicago skyline during a rainstorm as seen from the Spirit of Chicago cruise ship on May 19, 2019. | Colin Boyle for the Sun-Times

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The Chicago skyline as seen from the Spirit of Chicago cruise ship on May 19, 2019. | Colin Boyle for the Sun-Times

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Manuel Marmolejo, father of the late Chicago police Officer Eduardo Marmolejo, and Luis Marmolejo, the older brother of Eduardo, pose for a photo at the Police Chaplains Ministry’s Annual Luncheon Cruise, which honors Gold Star Families in Chicago on May 19, 2019. | Colin Boyle for the Sun-Times

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Manuel Marmolejo, father of the late Chicago police Officer Eduardo Marmolejo, poses for a photo at the Police Chaplains Ministry’s Annual Luncheon Cruise, which honors Gold Star Families in Chicago on May 19, 2019. | Colin Boyle for the Sun-Times

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Craig Domagala, Denise Domagala and Jennifer Paulsen at the Police Chaplains Ministry’s Annual Luncheon Cruise, which honors Gold Star Families in Chicago on May 19, 2019. Denise’s husband and Craig’s father, Officer Bernie Domagala, was shot in 1988 and he later died of complications from his being shot that left him severely disabled for the rest of his life. | Colin Boyle for the Sun-Times

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Teshia Booker, Latrice Tucker, Keyonta Thomas and his son Keyonta Thomas Jr., Corine Jackson and Fr. Dan Brandt pose for a photograph at the Police Chaplains Ministry’s Annual Luncheon Cruise, which honors Gold Star Families in Chicago on May 19, 2019. | Colin Boyle for the Sun-Times

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Keyonta Thomas puts on his late father’s, Officer Clifton Lewis, pin. Lewis was shot to death during a 2011 robbery at an Austin convenience store. Thomas was in attendance the Police Chaplains Ministry’s Annual Luncheon Cruise, which honors Gold Star Families in Chicago on May 19, 2019. | Colin Boyle for the Sun-Times

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The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse as seen from the Spirit of Chicago cruise ship on May 19, 2019. | Colin Boyle for the Sun-Times

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A teddy bear donning a police officer uniform sits at a table at the Police Chaplains Ministry’s Annual Luncheon Cruise, which honors Gold Star Families in Chicago on May 19, 2019. | Colin Boyle for the Sun-Times

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Corine Jackson wears pins that honor Officer Clifton Lewis, who was was fatally shot in 2011. | Colin Boyle for the Sun-Times

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The couple, then high school sweethearts dressed to the nines, attended a celebration on the same cruise ship 10 years ago when they graduated from Foreman College and Career Academy on the Northwest Side.

On Sunday, Crystal cradled one of her three children, who was sick, as she talked about her struggles.

”I’m feeling like crap, I’ve got to be honest ... he was my life,” she said.

”Everybody tells me that I have to be strong for my kids; well, I don’t have a choice, I have to be strong for my babies.”

She spoke of the dozens of other Gold Star family members who’ve reached out to say they’re around if she needs anything.

”They know exactly what we’re going through. It’s comforting,” she said.

The cruise was organized by the Police Chaplain’s Ministry and was free to attendees.

”It’s something we’ve done for more than 20 years to give folks who have this terrible thing in common a chance to come together and be happy for a change,” said Rev. Dan Brandt, a Catholic priest and director of the ministry.

Sandra Wortham, also attended the cruise. Her older brother, Officer Thomas Wortham IV, was fatally shot in 2010 at the age of 30.

”You gain friends, you gain a support system, and that’s really a special thing,” Wortham said, noting that she has about 10 Gold Star members programmed into her phone.

The underlying source of their kinship is comforting, but she’ll hit one up for something as mundane as: “Hey, girl, what’s a good sushi place?” said Wortham, 35, an attorney.

”You’ll know another family has gone through something similar and survived. I think that’s the important thing ... you have to keep living. You try not to let that incident define the rest of your life, but you do want to make sure that you remember.”

There are 583 police officers who have died performing their duties dating back nearly 200 years, according to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation.

George Burns was a Chicago cop who died in a shooting in 1919. His grandson, Terry Burns, 75, attended the cruise with several of his own grandkids.

Another member whose great-great-great-grandfather, Francis Williams, was killed in the line of duty in 1891, wanted to come but, at the last minute, couldn’t make it, said event organizer Becky Rebich.

”She got food poisoning last night in Chinatown and couldn’t make it,” Rebich said.