CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Hundreds of Chicago police officers and their families attended a prayer vigil in Mount Greenwood Park on the Southwest Side for officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso, who was shot to death on Wednesday during a domestic violence incident.
“It’s as natural for us to gather here, as it is for a flower to turn toward the warmth of the sun,” said Chicago Police Cmdr. Sean Joyce, of the 22nd District.
Joyce said Vásquez Lasso was a model police officer.
“We see what is the best of us—a model of service, a model of selflessness—in Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso,” he said. “I know that his name is going to be added to a long list that, sadly, still grows, of first responders who gave their last full measure of devotion in service to this city.”
The police commander said that when Vásquez Lasso heard the call for service on Wednesday, he must have—at least momentarily—experienced fear.
“I also know that he summoned the courage to get past that fear and was emboldened by his fellow officers who were responding with him that day to confront whatever danger they had to confront in service to this city,” Joyce said. “Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso fought for his life that day.”
Chief of Patrol Brian McDermott told those in attendance that seeing everybody in attendance for the vigil made him proud to be a member of this community.
“I’m going to tell you guys what I tell my officers when I arrive on the scene of something like this: I don’t have any magic words to make people feel better. We all know what we sign up for. We know that someday we may pay the ultimate sacrifice for doing our job, but it doesn’t stop us from doing our job.
“And I tell them to remember what their purpose is,” he continued. “And we know what our purpose is: Our purpose is to protect the citizens of this city. Without fail, we will do that 100% of the time.”
Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) asked a simple favor.
“When you see a Chicago police officer, give them a wave,” he said. “Tell them, ‘Thank you.’ Shake their hand.”
McDermott echoed that sentiment.
“These officers do what no one else will do,” he said. “For that, I thank you. When you see an officer, thank them. Say hello to them. Let them know that you appreciate them. It’s time like this that they need to hear that. Not only is this one of the toughest jobs in the world, it’s one of the toughest times ever to be a police officer.
O’Shea said Vásquez Lasso’s name will be the 599th name added to a wall honoring fallen Chicago police officers.
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