A Norwalk painter is honoring a beloved community police officer who recently lost his battle with cancer.

Jairo Galeano rediscovered his passion for painting three years ago. His latest work is his most personal and perhaps his most meaningful.

"I spent almost three weeks on this painting," says Galeano.

The painting depicts Officer Cesar Ramirez, who spent 32 years with the Norwalk Police Department. Ramirez died from an aggressive form of brain cancer last month.

"I'm a cancer survivor and I know how it feels being diagnosed with a terrible disease," says Galeano.

Galeano's connection to Ramirez goes well beyond that. Ramirez was a familiar face in South Norwalk and a longtime presence at Columbus Magnet School and Side By Side Charter School.

"He used to patrol the neighborhood where my kids grew up so I used to wave to him every day," says Galeano.

Galeano plans to donate the painting to Ramirez's family. He says it's his way of honoring a man that won't soon be forgotten.