6.29.2015

Karate students offer final salute to fallen teacher

The students of Karate-Do pay last respects to their sensei, slain Cincinnati police officer Sonny Kim.



On Friday in Cincinnati, thousands of mourners from across the community lined the streets to pay their last respects to Sonny Kim, the veteran police officer and family man who was fatally shot in the line of duty.

Kim, a decorated 27-year-veteran of the Cincinnati Police Department, was killed in a shootout with an armed suspect in the Madisonville neighborhood on June 19. Kim's death sparked an outpouring of community support for his family, from the GoFundMe campaign that has exceeded its fundraising goal, to the University of Cincinnati's offer of a full ride for Kim's three sons, should they choose to attend the school.

Kim was also a beloved martial arts instructor. Among the many tributes to his life and career, this heartfelt final salute from his uniformed karate students at the Japanese Karate-Do dojo in Symmes Township, as the funeral procession passed by the school, brought me to tears.




His life and career clearly touched an entire community. Rest in peace, Sonny Kim.

More here: Officer Sonny Kim: Japanese Karate-Do honors fallen sensei

More here: Cincinnati Police Officer Sonny Kim: Tri-State region turns out in large numbers to pay respects


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