Hundreds Gather to Celebrate the Lives of Chris and Lynn Shimek

There was a quiet and somber atmosphere in the Darling-Fischer Campbell Memorial Chapel, as hundreds gathered to remember the lives of Chris and Lynn Shimek on Sunday.

The Shimeks were found dead in their Rodeo Drive home on Nov. 27 as the result of a murder-suicide. Authorities believe Chris killed Lynn and then took his own life.

Friends and family of the couple were in attendance, as well as several of Chris's coworkers from the San Jose Police Department.

Pastor Greg Quirke of presided over Sunday's service, as he did during the on Saturday.

Chis' nephew, Mathew Hone, shared his memories of his uncle with attendees. He recalled a ride-along Chris took him on with the SJPD.

“Those were special times with my uncle," he said. "I find myself missing these two wonderful people."

The Shimek’s older son, Forrest, 19, told attendees that he still loved his father.

“I’m not mad at my dad. I love him very much,” Forrest said. “He made me the smart, intuitive person that I am today, and my mom was the most positive, cheerful person in my life. These two people together have made me the person that I am.”

Todd Carpenter, who worked with Chris for eight years in the San Jose Police Department’s motors unit, said they enjoyed camping and boating. He recalled the many trips their families took together to Lake Tahoe and Reno.

“We watched our children grow up,” Carpenter said. “Those trips are what I will choose to remember when I think of them. Chris and Lynn had difficulty over the last few months, but that does not define who they were.”

Carpenter added that he decided to speak at the memorial service to honor his friends, despite the anger he felt toward Chris.

"When I was asked to speak tonight, I did hesitate. I didn't think I could speak about Chris," he said. "I was angry at my friend. But I had to put my anger aside and do this for him."

The Shimek’s younger son, Skylar, 13, said he will always remember his mother’s beautiful smile and appreciated how his father provided and protected his family.

“My mother’s smile was unbelievably perfect. I don’t think I ever saw her miserable, she was just a great mom and had a special connection with my friends," Skylar said. "My dad was so protective of everybody he cared about, he always put us before him.”

Skylar spoke about a time when his father bought him a German Shepherd puppy for Christmas. Chris then played an audio recording of his favorite song, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline."

Two photo boards containing pictures of Chris and Lynn decorated the chapel. There were photos of Chis and Lynn as young children, from when they were dating and of them pictured along with their children.