Vigil held for fallen CPD officer Areanah Preston at her high school alma mater
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Flags stand at half-staff to honor fallen Chicago police Officer Areanah Preston.
Officer Preston was supposed to graduate from Loyola University Chicago Law School with a master's degree Saturday. But instead, the fallen officer was honored with a vigil at her high school alma mater.
Teachers, former students, and Preston's mom – Dionne Mhoon – released balloons in the rain outside UIC College Prep, 1231 S. Damen Ave. on Friday evening.
Inside the school, those who knew Preston shared stories of the 24-year-old.
Officer Preston was shot and killed early this past Saturday morning in a robbery outside her Avalon Park neighborhood home.
Her former teachers and coaches said Preston had grace under pressure.
"If I could say anything to anybody from this, it's, 'Be like Areanah,'" said Danielle Watson, Preston's onetime cheerleading coach.
Preston's mother will accept her daughter's degree from Loyola on Saturday.
Chicago Police have arrested four people in connection to the Preston's shooting death.