Charges in shooting death of Cook Co. deputy to be announced Thursday; family hold balloon release
Deputy Rafael Wordlaw died while protecting cousin, remembered as 'a family protector'
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Charges will be announced for the shooting death of an off-duty Cook County deputy Thursday, the Chicago police announced Wednesday night.
A person of interest has been in custody, but police said CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling, Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx and ATF Chicago Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon will formally announce charges in Rafael Wordlaw's death Thursday morning.
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Friends and family commemorated the fallen deputy Wednesday. Wordlaw and his family were getting ready to celebrate his 32nd birthday next week, but instead they are now planning a funeral.
Friends and family gathered at his place of work to remember Wordlaw. They held two balloon releases Wednesday, the first right after midnight and the second later in the day around 5 p.m.
"This was everything to him," academy classmate Trendale Roberson said. "He valued his job and position. If there was one person who worked too much, it was him. One of his favorite sayings around was, 'know that.' That was somebody who when you needed help, know that he was coming."
And that's exactly what police said he was doing Tuesday, escorting one of his cousins safely to a South Side gas station to fill up her friend's car, until a gunman approached, trying to rob him.
The two got into a shootout and Wordlaw was shot in the chest.
"It's sad to know, even us being in law-enforcement, that this can still happen," Roberson said.
"I am like traumatized," Davenport said. "Like I cannot believe it."
His cousin is devastated, now losing her protector, she said.
"He was everything," Davenport said. "He was so respectful, he was selfless. He would do anything for you like he was my baby."
Officers held a procession yesterday for the deputy, who died at the hospital. His flag-draped body had a full police escort to the medical examiner's office.
The son of a police officer, his family said, law enforcement was in his blood.
His colleagues said the Cook County jail was a safer place with Deputy Wordlaw on duty.
"If he's around, you're never doing anything by yourself. Even at work if you need back up, he'll come in," Roberson said.
They are now hoping for swift justice for his death.
"Hopefully the law does what it's supposed to do," Roberson said.
"We deserve justice," Davenport said. " Whatever consequences, we deserve justice."
A person of interest remains in custody in connection to the shooting, but no charges have been filed, police said. Authorities continue to investigate.
