Family, colleagues gather to honor fallen Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca at funeral
CHICAGO (CBS) — Hundreds of loved ones and colleagues paid their final respects on Monday to fallen Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca at a funeral service at St. Rita Cascia Shrine Chapel.
Chicago police officers and fellow officers from around the country gathered outside the chapel to salute Huesca's casket as the hearse carrying his remains arrived at the chapel around 10:30 a.m. Monday, before packing the sanctuary for the funeral ceremony.
Huesca, a six-year veteran who worked with the Area 2 Priority Response Team, was shot and killed while returning home from his shift while still in uniform on April 21.
Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the 5500 block of South Kedzie Avenue just before 3 a.m. After touring the area, officers drove to the 3100 block of West 56th Street, where Huesca was found outside with gunshot wounds. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died.
Huesca's car was taken during the incident but has since been recovered. CPD Supt. Larry Snelling could not confirm whether the incident was the result of a carjacking.
Officer Christian Calderon, Huesca's partner and best friend, said his death "feels like a nightmare."
"We weren't just partners. We were brothers; inseparable in duty and in life. Beyond the badge and uniform, Luis was my rock, my map. He guided me through the storms of life, helping me become a better version of myself," he said.
Karim Ismat, a close friend who met Huesca in college about 10 years ago, said he will be "forever grateful" to Huesca for his selflessness.
"I'm certain all who met him will have little trouble remembering him for the brilliant, caring man he was. He truly was larger than life, and so much more than words could describe," he said.
Huesca's older brother, Emiliano Huesca Jr., said he always looked up to his brother, even though Luis was younger, because, "You had so much wisdom and I could always trust on your advice."
"Your nickname should be Lionheart. You were an exceptional person with courage, bravery, humility, and pride in your work, and you had dedication for those you touched," he said.
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said Huesca "will never be forgotten" for his service and sacrifice as a Chicago police officer, describing him as a man who always wanted to make his fellow officers laugh "even though the days are difficult."
Snelling said, long before Huesca became a police officer "he was a protecter of our city," noting that Huesca once witnessed a neighbor involved in a domestic dispute, and stepped in to help the victim before police arrived.
"This was the Luis his friends and family knew," Snelling said.
Snelling also noted that Huesca was close friends with Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso, who was killed in the line of duty last year. The two attended the police academy together, and Huesca recorded a tribute video for Lasso after his death.
The superintendent also vowed to stand by Huesca's family with whatever support they might need.
"He was family. We join you in proudly carrying on his legacy of service," Snelling said. "You have a new family, and that family is the Chicago Police Department."
Huesca received full honors from the Chicago Police Department, after his death was ruled to be in the line of duty.
His wake was held on Sunday. At that visitation, Huesca's family told State Comptroller Susana Mendoza that Mayor Brandon Johnson was "unwelcome" at the funeral, and they did not want him to attend. Johnson honored the family's wishes, although some current and former members of his staff were visible in the crowd at the funeral.
"We continue to send our deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of Officer Luis Huesca as they heal from the loss of their beloved son, nephew, brother and friend," Johnson said in a statement. "As mayor, I vow to continue supporting our police and first responders, uniting our city and remaining committed to working with everyone towards building a better, stronger, safer Chicago. My heart is with the Huesca family today. God bless them and God bless the City of Chicago."
Huesca is survived by his family, including his mother, father, sister, brother, uncles, and grandmother.
Officer Huesca's death "feels like a nightmare"
Officer Christian Calderon, slain Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca's partner and best friend, said his death "feels like a nightmare."
"We weren't just partners. We were brothers; inseparable in duty and in life. Beyond the badge and uniform, Luis was my rock, my map. He guided me through the storms of life, helping me become a better version of myself," he said.
Calderon said Huesca was a friend he knew he could call up on in any situation, and described him as "the most kind and honest human being."
"Luis had so much trust in me that I tried my hand as a barber using Luis as a practice model. Let's just say he always wore a hat afterwards, but he kept coming back," he said.
Calderon also joked about Huesca's love for food, saying "He could turn a buffet into a personal challenge, as long as there as barbecue sauce."
"He truly was larger than life, and so much more than words could describe"
Karim Ismat, one of Huesca's best friends, said he has struggled to find the words to describe him since his death.
"But I kept returning to the phrase he'd give the shirt off his back, because that's exactly who Luis was. He was the kind of man who would go out of his way to help others no matter what," he said.
Ismat said he met Huesca in college 10 years ago, and he said "life with Luis felt timeless."
"He had a magical gift of turning the simplest aspect of life into joys. He really reminded us to stop and enjoy what this world has to offer; to appreciate the bits and pieces that are taken for granted," he said. "I will cherish the lifelong memories he helped me create for the rest of my life."
Ismat also recalled Huesca supporting his family when Ismat's father died from COVID-19.
"He did not care one bit about exposure to the virus. He just wanted to be there for my family and for my father," he said.
Ismat said he will be "forever grateful" to Huesca for his selflessness.
"I'm certain all who met him will have little trouble remembering him for the brilliant, caring man he was. He truly was larger than life, and so much more than words could describe," he said.
Officer Huesca had "a humble and a tender heart"
Officer Lucia Chavez said Huesca was a "really, really good friend; the friend that was going to be with you in a rough situation."
Chavez met Huesca and Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso – who was killed in the line of duty last year – at the police academy, and the three became close friends.
"Luis was the smart one, the analyst. Andres was the handsome one. He wanted to always look good. And I was the one that didn't speak English really well," she said.
Saying Huesca had "a humble and a tender heart," Chavez said anyone who met Huesca knew about his passion for traveling, especially to Morocco, his love for playing the piano, and his love for baking.
"I will never forget his phrase. 'I'm going to eat until I can't even breathe, because tomorrow I'm fasting,'" she said.
Officer Luis Hesca's brother delivers eulogy; "Your nickname should be Lionheart"
Officer Huesca's older brother, Emiliano Huesca Jr., said he always looked up to his brother, even though Luis was younger, because, "You had so much wisdom and I could always trust on your advice."
Emiliano said his brother was a well-rounded man who taught him how to be selfless, courageous, and curious.
"Your nickname should be Lionheart. You were an exceptional person with courage, bravery, humility, and pride in your work, and you had dedication for those you touched," he said.
Emiliano also recalled driving through Morocco with his brother, and witnessing a crash. Luis not only helped tend to a woman who was injured, but using broken Arabic, Luis helped Moroccan police coordinate at the scene and direct traffic.
"Even though he was not in Chicago, he was still doing his duty as a police officer there," he said.
"I will forever cherish his memory," Huesca's supervising officer says
Chicago Police Lt. Nicholas Vasselli, one of Huesca's supervisors, said memories of Huesca's sense of wit have helped his fellow officers cope with his death.
Vasselli Recalled having to get into Huesca's locker last week after he was killed, and other officers telling him that Huesca's locker had a paper clip on it. But the paper clip wasn't hanging from the locker. Huesca was using it as a lock.
"He has a piece of paper on it that says, this is a lock," Vasselli said.
CPD Sgt. Curtisine Gilmore recalled how Huesca once came to him for dating advice, saying "it meant a lot to me that he valued my opinion, and wanted my input in what was going on in his life."
"I will forever cherish his memory, and will always remember the impact he had on me, his team, this department, and the City of Chicago," she said.
Officer Luis Huesca "will never be forgotten," CPD Supt. Larry Snelling says
Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said Huesca "will never be forgotten" for his service and sacrifice as a Chicago police officer, describing him as a man who always wanted to make his fellow officers laugh "even though the days are difficult."
"Thank you to Officer Luis Huesca for the sacrifice that he made for our city, for our society, for our neighborhoods, and for everyone sitting in this room," Snelling said. "He's leaving an impression on the entire country. Just know and understand that we really appreciate the sacrifice of Officer Huesca and the family."
Snelling said, long before Huesca became a police officer "he was a protecter of our city," noting that Huesca once witnessed a neighbor involved in a domestic dispute, and stepped in to help the victim before police arrived.
"This was the Luis his friends and family knew," Snelling said.
Snelling also noted that Huesca was close friends with Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso, who was killed in the line of duty last year. The two attended the police academy together, and Huesca recorded a tribute video for Lasso after his death.
The superintendent also vowed to stand by Huesca's family with whatever support they might need.
"He was family. We join you in proudly carrying on his legacy of service," Snelling said. "You have a new family, and that family is the Chicago Police Department."
Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca remembered as "a great son of Chicago"
Describing Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca as "a great son of Chicago," a pastor paid tribute to the late officer on Monday at his funeral at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, speaking in both English and Spanish.
"It was a better place in Gage Park, in Chicago, and in this world with his presence, and we mourn his passing," he said.
What emotional impact will funeral for Officer Luis Huesca have on CPD?
Hundreds of Chicago police officers were gathering Monday at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel for the funeral of Officer Luis Huesca, who was shot and killed outside his home last week.
Dr. Carrie Steiner, a clinical psychologist and former Chicago police officer, said it's especially important for officers to check in with friends, family, pastors, or a mental health professional to help care for their own well-being.
Chicago police line procession route for funeral of Officer Luis Huesca
Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca will be laid to rest on Monday, as hundreds gather at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel for his funeral.
Mayor Brandon Johnson will not attend the funeral at the family's request.
Preparations underway at St. Rita Cascia Shrine Chapel
CBS 2's Marissa Perlman is live outside St. Rita Cascia Shrine Chapel on Chicago's South Side where the emotional funeral will take place in a few hours.
Full coverage of the service will continue on CBS News Chicago at 10 a.m.