WHITING, Ind. — Standing in solidarity, members of the Chicago Police Department lined St. John the Baptist Catholic School, as the son of a fallen CPD officer entered the church for his 8th grade graduation.

“We say we never forget,” said CPD superintendent Larry Snelling. “We have to make sure that’s true.”

Alex Valadez Jr’s mom was pregnant when her husband was shot and killed while investigating a shots fired call in Englewood in June 2009. Three months later, he was born.

Over the years, CPD has wrapped its metaphorical — And sometimes literal — Arms around the family as Valadez Jr has grown up. Officers attended his kindergarten graduation, and mounted CPD units and a K-9 arrived to salute him on the last day of second grade, with then-CPD Supt. Eddie Johnson saying the force will stand by his family forever.

Then once more Thursday, CPD showed up for another milestone as Valadez Jr prepares to enter high school, alongside his 22 other classmates.

“Thank you everybody for coming out and supporting him as always,” said Christina Jackson, Alex Valadez Jr’s mom. “They’ve been here for him since kindergarten and they continue to show support throughout the years and we’re very thankful — Thank you so very much.”

As those who served with his father watched, the young man himself offered words, hoping to make his dad proud.

“It feels good,” Valadez Jr said. “It gives me motivation to do big things to honor my father.”