South Side street renamed for CPD Officer Thomas Wortham, killed in 2010 shooting

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A murdered Chicago police officer was honored Wednesday, 16 years after his death.

Would-be robbers shot and killed Officer Thomas Wortham.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

His memory is living on.

Fellow officers returned to the intersection where he was killed to honor Wortham.

A section of 85th Street and King Drive in Chatham will now be named for Officer Thomas Wortham IV.

His family and the Chicago police superintendent were among those to witness the sign unveiling.

Sandra Wortham is the executive board president for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, and she is among Chicago Gold Star Families.

She's also Officer Wortham's sister.

"Watching my parents age without their son, that really breaks my heart. Because they deserve to have their son," Sandra Wortham said.

In 2010, Wortham was at his parents' home when four men tried to steal his motorcycle. Wortham was shot in the stomach and run over. His father, who was a retired police sergeant, shot one of the suspects.

Wortham had just returned from his second tour to Iraq with the National Guard.

"I remember everything from that night, the next day, coming back to the house, in that regard. It feels like yesterday," Sandra Wortham said.

A playground on the block is also named for Officer Wortham.

Sandra Wortham says she is grateful the city will honor her brother with a street name, but she wants the reminders of her brother to inspire action to prevent violence.

"I know Thomas would say, 'thanks for the sign, but what else are you all doing?'" Sandra Wortham said. "I want us to act so that we don't have more funerals, so that we don't have more Thomases. That would bring me some sort of comfort and believe for my parents, as well, even in our loss. It is my prayer that in my lifetime I will see this city that I love exercise our options to live safely, all of us. And I think that would be the best way to honor my brother."

Sandra Wortham said she will never forget how many people supported her family. So she is there for other families at the funerals of fallen officers, like so many Gold Star Families.

But she would prefer a safer city with fewer funerals for civilians and officers.