Dozens remember six-year-old struck, killed by van

MILWAUKEE--- Some came with blue and white balloons, others with candles, some even with pictures of a smiling little boy on their shirts. All gathered at 51st Street between Meinecke and North for a vigil to remember six-year-old Christopher Lee Wade Jr., or C.J.

On Tuesday, April 17th, C.J. was hit by a mini-van on 51st St. He died from his injuries two days later.

"It's a hard time for us right now. We just need a lot of support," C.J.'s aunt Brandy Chambers said Friday evening. "My sister is holding up pretty good, but it's not over."

"I thank God for all the people out here and I know Chris is somewhere where he needs to be now," C.J.'s grandfather Willie Peavy said during the vigil. "It means a lot to see everybody out here."

During the vigil, prayers were said, songs were sung and hugs were given. While the tragedy has hit the family, they let the people at the vigil know that even though C.J. lost his life, he helped save seven others by donating his organs.

"I'm sure Christopher wanted to do that. That's why his family did what they did because he wanted it too. I'm glad. It was a good thing. I'm glad it happened," Peavy said.

When the vigil was coming to an end, more prayers were said, songs were sung and all of the blue and white balloons were released to the heavens to join C.J., an act that meant a lot to Peavy. "I want to cry. It really touched me. It really touched me," Peavy said.

A memorial fund has been set up in Christopher's name at US Bank.

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