Originally Published on March 2, 2023 Chicago Police Officer Fatally ShotOur hearts go out to the family and friends of 32-year-old Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso, who was killed in the line of duty Wednesday night. Please keep his loved ones and the department in your thoughts as they go through this difficult time. According to authorities, Officer Vasquez Lasso was killed after officers in the Eighth District responded to a domestic-related call of a person with a gun in the city's Gage Park neighborhood. Officer Vasquez Lasso had recently celebrated five years with the department. "We are heartbroken," Chicago Police Supt. David Brown said during a press conference Wednesday. "Policing is a big family. People know at some point they may be asked to make the ultimate sacrifice. But you never wish or hope that it actually happens. And tonight, this tragedy did." As is our custom, the Illinois Chiefs ask all sworn officers in Illinois to wear their mourning bands from now until the funeral services for Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso are complete. Message from President JogmenToday we mourn the loss of another law enforcement officer. Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso, 32 years of age, was at the beginning of his career of service and was killed yesterday while honoring his oath of office, to serve and protect the residents of Chicago. This past Sunday, another Illinois police officer, from the Village of Dupo, Officer Patrick Carrier was shot and seriously injured while responding to a call. Officer Vasquez Lasso’s death and the shooting of Officer Carrier are continued reminders that those who choose to selflessly serve others, people they do not know, and who put themselves in harm’s way for the betterment of society deserve the backing, support and appreciation of everyone they protect. A quick look at data provided by www.odmp.org and www.gunviolencearchive.org and it becomes painfully clear that we, as a society, need to do a better job supporting and protecting the protectors. Yesterday was the 60th day of the year. As of yesterday, 66 police officers have been shot in the line of duty, eight of them fatally. These numbers reflect the danger and heartache associated with being in law enforcement and they should shock the conscience of everyone who benefits from the work these officers, all officers do. Police officers are the primary deterrent to violent crime, a deterrent that works only when a nation, and each of the nation’s citizens, respect the officer and job. A job that we are reminded all too often is filled with risk, danger, loss, cost, and courage. These incidents cannot be thought of as part of the job. To do so would diminish the sacrifice these men and women have made. For each of these incidents, we should be outraged and filled with righteous indignation. We owe that to every officer who is injured or who dies doing this noble work. The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police grieves the loss of CPD Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso and shares its support for his family and the members of the Chicago Police Department. We also send our best thoughts and prayers for the recovery Officer Patrick Carrier and his family. I continue to be proud of Illinois Law Enforcement and the ILACP stands ready to assist and to support each of you in any way we can. -ILACP President Lou Jogmen |