Person of interest in custody after off-duty Cook County deputy killed in Woodlawn shootout: CPD
Deputy Rafael Wordlaw died while protecting cousin, remembered as 'a family protector'
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A person of interest is in custody after an off duty Cook County sheriff's deputy was killed in a shootout in the Woodlawn neighborhood Tuesday morning, Chicago police said.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the fallen deputy as 31-year-old Rafael Wordlaw.
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Officers held a procession for the deputy, carrying him from the hospital to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office just after 9 a.m.
Chicago police said the deputy was at the Clark Gas Station with his cousin in the 500-block of East 67th Street around 1:26 a.m. in Woodlawn when a gunman approached and tried to rob him.
The two exchanged gunfire, and then, the suspect ran away. Wordlaw was shot in the chest. It is not clear how may gunshots were fired, but the gunfire exchange left its mark from the gas station's convenience store to a resident's vehicle across the street.
Police said Wordlaw got back into his car after the shootout to get help, but his car crashed into a pole a few blocks away in the 6700-block of South Indiana Avenue.
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Wordlaw was then taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he later died from the injuries he suffered while protecting his cousin.
The Cook County Sheriff's Office issued a statement, saying, "Staff are with the Deputy's family as well as with the Sheriff's Office Team... to provide support and resources as they navigate this senseless tragedy."
"He loved his job, and that was one of the many reasons people loved him so much there. He devoted himself to the job and was there all the time. His mom would say he took other people's jobs and take overtime and just loved that job," said Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. "His father had been in law enforcement in Englewood. They called him 'officer friendly.' he wanted to carry on the tradition. He had just talked to his mom not that long ago about how he wanted to be a hero."
Mayor Brandon Johnson talked about the shooting after Tuesday morning's police graduation at Navy Pier.
"My prayers are, of course, with the family and as this investigation unfolds, like all violence in the city or anywhere else, people will have to be held accountable," Johnson said.
He's like family. The whole department, we're like a big familyLt. Robert Zaccone
Wordlaw was a four-year veteran of the department, CPD said. His Cook County Sheriff's uniform was something of a family crest and a point of deep personal pride.
On Tuesday morning, Cook County Sheriff's Lt. Robert Zaccone woke to a crush of text messages about Wordlaw's killing.
"He's like family. The whole department, we're like a big family," Zaccone said. "When it was confirmed, that was it. It's been a cloud ever since."
Wordlaw is survived by his mother and two sisters, as well as a large extended family.
Relatives stopped to pay tribute to him shortly after the procession.
You work hard, and you can't have anything... This city is just messed upVanasa Davenport, victim's aunt
"Rafael was very loving. Very funny. He was like a family protector. He always liked everybody to get along. He wanted everyone to come together for all occasions," said Jordan Wilson, Wordlaw's cousin.
"I hope they catch him. My cousin didn't deserve this. He's an outstanding person," said Christine Dukes, Wordlaw's cousin.
"I'm a churchgoing person, so I'm not going to wish anything bad on the person, but I just want them. I hope they catch him and he sit in jail and think about what he did to my nephew," said his aunt, Vanasa Davenport. "You work hard, and you can't have anything. You can't have no nice car. You can't wear no nice clothes. This city is just messed up."
Wordlaw was most recently assigned to Cook County Jail's Division 6 and would have turned 32 on Aug. 10. His family said he had booked a venue and was planning a big party with family and friends. They are now planning a funeral instead.
Police are still searching for the gunman. No one is currently in custody.
