Chicago Police Unit Horse Named 'Mikey C' Honors Officer Who Died at 26
Twenty-eight years after Michael Ceriale was killed in an undercover operation, his community gathers to remember the blood drives and medical efforts that saved his life for six days.
By Amir Navarro ·
St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Chicago held a remembrance service on Sunday for Officer Michael Ceriale. The gathering marked the 28th anniversary of his death, which occurred in 1998 while he was 26 years old. Ceriale died from a gunshot wound sustained during an undercover assignment for the Chicago Police Department.
Parishioners and community leaders attended the service, which followed morning Mass with a communal breakfast. The church has a personal connection to Ceriale, who was both a former student and a regular parishioner. George Matwyshyn, a member of the Parish Pastoral Council, noted the rarity of such sacrifice. "He's a hero.. How many people will do what he did? How many people will sacrifice their own lives for the benefit of everyone?" Matwyshyn asked.
Dr. Yuri Melnik, who has attended the church for over 30 years, provided medical details from the hospital where Ceriale was treated. Melnik worked at the facility for six days after the shooting. He recalled the intensity of the care Ceriale received. "There were fighting for his life.. five procedures.. 200 units of blood. The city was united in prayer.. The long lines of donating blood and something that we never experienced before," Melnik said.
The officer's death triggered a massive public response in 1998. Melnik described the blood donation lines as a new phenomenon for the city at the time. That period of unity remains a central part of the community's memory of the event. The cathedral preserves Ceriale's legacy through various memorials within the building.
Chicago police reinforced the tribute by bringing their unit horses outside the church on Sunday. The department has named one of these horses "Mikey C." in direct honor of the fallen officer. This gesture connects the active police force with the community that has kept the memory alive for nearly three decades.
Melnik described the presence of the horses as a source of positive emotion for him. "That's very touching for me.. and going back in my memories, that brings a lot of positive emotions. We are appreciative to the people protecting us serving our communities.. their job is not easy," he stated. The service served as a final link between the medical staff, the religious community, and the police department.
The case has remained closed with the charged offender serving a long-term sentence. The individual was a juvenile at the time of the 1998 shooting. They are currently serving a 60-year prison sentence for the death of Officer Ceriale.
