Star case ceremonies honor fallen Chicago Police Officers Andrés Vásquez Lasso, Aréanah Preston

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The city honored fallen Chicago police officers on Thursday.

It was a day of remembrance as the Chicago Police Department honored fallen Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso and Officer Aréanah Preston, who were both killed in the line of duty.

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Relatives, friends and fellow officers gathered at Chicago police headquarters for the separate ceremonies.

Each of the officer's stars were placed in the superintendent's honored star case.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, police and fire officials, and other local dignitaries were also in attendance.

"Nothing said can lessen your pain, but the reality is that each one of these stars represent an opportunity for us as a profession and a family to come together and to remember," Fraternal Order of Police President John Catenzara said.

Officer Vásquez Lasso was remembered in the morning Thursday.

"There are no sufficient words to honor the families' loss and also the magnitude of our gratitude to Officer Vásquez Lasso," Chicago Police Memorial Foundation board member Sandra Wortham said.

Vásquez Lasso was shot and killed in March of 2023 while he was chasing a suspect wanted in connection with a domestic call.

Vásquez Lasso, 32, chased after an 18-year-old suspect, ultimately onto the grounds of nearby Sawyer Elementary with children playing on the playground, where the officer was shot three times after exchanging gunfire with the suspect. He was rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he later died.

The 18-year-old suspect is currently awaiting trial.

"On the day he decided to pursue and armed suspect, he did it knowing he was trying to protect people in the neighborhood and protect people from evil," Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling said.

His mother and wife attended the ceremony at CPD headquarters to memorialize their loved one.

Officer Preston was honored as well in the afternoon.

Preston, 24, was shot and killed in May of 2023. She had finished her shift and was still in uniform when she was shot and killed by armed robbers just a few steps from her home.

Investigators said the four people who were arrested had committed at least half a dozen robberies and carjackings in the hours before the attack.

Chicago police officials said the two officers represent the 599th and 600th officers killed in the line of duty. While those at the ceremonies understand the dangers of serving and protecting, the hope is there'll be no more stars added to the honored case.

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