Hundreds honor CPD officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso at funeral; "another hero taken from us far to soon"

Flashes of blue and red lit up 79th Street as the procession to lay Vásquez Lasso to rest got underway.

CBS 2's Sabrina Franza was at the funeral where family members shared their stories and mourned the husband, son, and friend to many.

After the funeral service concluded police officers began carrying Officer Vásquez Lasso's casket out of the chapel to begin a procession to the cemetery for a private burial service. 

Mourners will line the procession route along parts of Western Avenue, 79th Street, Harlem Avenue, Roosevelt Road, and Des Plaines Avenue to bid him a final farewell before the burial.

Vásquez Lasso's cousin and fellow Chicago police officer, Jhon Vásquez, said Vásquez Lasso came to Chicago from Colombia as a teenager eager to provide a better life for his mother.

"He was a man who dedicated his life to serving and protecting the people of the city of Chicago. He loved his job, and he took great pride in being a part of the Chicago Police Department," Jhon said. "Andrés was one of the bravest and most selfless individuals I have ever known. He was always willing to put himself in harm's way to help others, and he did so without hesitation. He had an unwavering commitment to his duties and his fellow officers. He was a true hero in every sense of the word."

Chicago Police Officer Saúl Cantería said he met Vásquez nearly five years ago in the police academy.

"I refer to him as Vásquez, because that's just how I knew him," Cantería said.

Cantería said Vásquez showed up to one of his first classes late, and when their training officer ordered the entire class out into the hallway, Vásquez was so scared, he was the first one to get there.

"We got smoked, and that's how I met him. I went up to him, probably that day, and I said 'Hey, you're the guy that got us smoked, right?'" Canteria said.

The two quickly became friends, and Canteria said Vásquez told him, "I don't ever want to be the reason you guys get smoked again."

Canteria said Vásquez frequently posted on Instagram, including one in which he wrote, "Behind this uniform, there's another human being just like you. This uniform doesn't make me a robot. This uniform is not a symbol of hate. This is not a symbol of us vs. them. I hate injustice and lawlessness as well. That's why I became a cop. Even though my actions won't change the world, I can change the world of every person I get in contact with."

"And that's definitely what he did," Canteria said.

Canteria said he spoke to Vásquez just 10 minutes before he was shot and killed, as the two talked about their sunglasses, because it was finally a sunny day.

"I keep thinking how in 15 days, we would have made 5 years since we started this policing journey. I keep thinking of how you always wanted to be the police, despite everything that comes with this. You loved it, and would never want to be anything else. You had it in you from the start. I keep thinking of how much you used to make me laugh. Even though we both spoke Spanish, yours was different from mine."

"I keep thinking of how I told you I was going to your district, and we would be able to work together, and the first day we saw each other we picked up right where we left off. After the academy, nothing had changed between us. I wish I could have spoken to you more at work. We were always so busy, it was hard at times."

"You've taught me to value life. You've taught me to always laugh. You taught me to smile, even if it's an awkward smile, because life is short. You've taught me to be passionate about achieving your dreams, and turning them into reality. I've taken many lessons from this. I'm always going to remember you each and every day."

"You told me in Chicago it gets too cold. You loved to travel to sunny places. Well, Vásquez, you are now in the sunniest place of all."

CBS 2's Kris Habermehl said the city is grieving along with officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso's family. 

Habermehl said since Vasquez Lasso responded to the incident in Gage Park, he was surrounded by first responders. "He will never be alone," Habermehl said.

Padre Andrés Beltrán, a family friend of Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso, delivered the homily in Spanish at the funeral at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel.

Officer Vásquez Lasso's commanding officer, 8th (Chicago Lawn) District Cmdr. Bryan Spreyne, called Vásquez Lasso "a courageous officer, a dedicated public servant, a trusted partner, and a true Chicagoan" as well as "a devoted husband, a beloved son and brother, a proud uncle and cousin, and a loyal friend."

Spreyne told Vásquez Lasso's family, friends, and fellow officers that "the heartache of your loss is felt across the city."

"The city of Chicago lost a guardian, a champion, a hero, but you lost so much more. You lost one of your deepest loves, one of your fiercest providers and protectors, and one of your greatest advocates and friends. You lost someone irreplaceable in Andrés," Spreyne said.

Calling Vásquez Lasso's death "a tragedy that doesn't make sense," Spreyne said he has struggled with thoughts of how he'll ever get used to something like this.

"But the truth is we're not supposed to. Police officers are here to connect and protect communities, and to keep our neighborhoods safe. That's what Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso did every day, and that is what he was doing on March 1st when his life was cut short. That's why today hurts," he said.

Spreyne said Vásquez Lasso once wrote "he might not change the world, but he knew he could change the world of every person through his actions."

"It is his unmatched work ethic and truly positive outlook, his penchant for people and passion for service, that made him such an incredible officer," Spreyne said. 

Police Supt. David Brown offered his condolences to Vásquez Lasso's family as he paid tribute to the fallen officer as "another hero taken from us far to soon."

"We grieve with you and will never forget the sacrifice that Andrés has made. At times like these, we are in despair," Brown said.

The superintendent said very few people know the courage and the bravery it takes to constantly run towards danger" as officers like Vásquez Lasso do.

"We don't know if anyone fully understands the trauma of seeing people at their absolute worst; or the horrors of seeing death, mangled bodies, tortured souls. Do you really understand that we confront mean, violent people? Do you really want to see our pain, our isolation, due to being hypervigilant all the time? Our grief is deep and dark, and seems hopeless," Brown said.

Lorena Rojas led prayers of the faithful, calling for "a return to peace in our world, between borders, in our streets, in our homes, and in our hearts," and expressing hopes that all police officers, firefighters, first responders, and members of the Armed Forces be able to return home safely to their families.

As a singer performed "Entre Tus Manos," some of Officer Vásquez Lasso's helped prepare for the funeral communion.

Music at the funeral included "Hacia Ti, Morada Santa" and "Ashokan Farewell" as mourners gathered inside the chapel.

Many of Officer Vásquez Lasso's relatives from Colombia were flown in for the funeral. Much of the service is being presented in Spanish, including a homily from Padre Andrés Beltrán, a family friend.

Chicago Police chaplain Fr. Dan Brandt, said Officer Vásquez Lasso is the 596th Chicago police officer to die in the line of duty.

Brandt highlighted some of the notes mourners left at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home in Vásquez Lasso's honor, including a retired officer named Phil, who wrote, "May Andrés rest in peace, and may he be bathed in the glory of our Lord. He is another one of the peacemakers, a child in God. Rest in peace, my brother."

Brandt also quoted another message from a group of civilians, stating "it is a tragedy beyond words when a Chicago police officer loses his or her life in the pursuit of preserving our safety. Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso made that supreme sacrifice."

"This is a reminder of the significant risks that our police officers face daily, and our need to defend them, and to support them, and to provide them with the resources they need to do their work," Brandt added.

Hundreds of officers from the Chicago Police Department and other law enforcement agencies saluted officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso as the hearse carrying his casket, draped in the Chicago flag, arrived at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel for his funeral.

Bagpipers and drummers played "Going Home," a traditional funeral song, as officers carried Vásquez Lasso's body into the church.

Officers are lined up along Western Avenue, preparing for the procession of Officer Vasquez Lasso. 

Police Supt. David Brown and members of Officer Vásquez Lasso's family will be among those speaking at the funeral, according to the funeral program.

Chicago police vehicles are lined up to block on Western Avenue for the procession from the funeral home to the church, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. CBS 2's Jackie Kostek will be reporting live throughout the morning.