Fallen Officer Thomas Wortham Honored
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago Police officer's memory will be kept alive, after he was killed in the line of duty last spring.
As CBS 2's Susanna Song reports, Officer Thomas Wortham IV was gunned down on May 19, 2010, in front of his parents' house in the Chatham neighborhood.
He was remembered Tuesday as a compassionate leader, as the Police Department honored his life by memorializing his star badge.
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Wortham's family members were escorted to the ceremony at Police Headquarters, 3510 S. Michigan Ave. The ceremony was packed with fellow Chicago Police officers and dignitaries.
Wortham's star will be placed in a glass case in the entry hall of Police Headquarters. His will be the 478th star to be honored.
Police Supt. Jody Weis and Mayor Richard M. Daley spoke about Wortham's commitment as an officer and family man.
"Tom's life is an inspiration to all," Weis said. "The Chicago Police Department is honored and proud to forever count him as one of its own."
"He comes from a family; a commitment of raising in a home, responsibility and respect, as we honor him as truly a hero, because that's what he was," Daley said.
Wortham was gunned down when three men tried to steal his motorcycle in the 8400 block of South King Drive.
Two men – Paris McGee, 20, and Toyious Taylor, 29, were charged in Officer Wortham's murder. A third suspect, Brian Floyd, 20, was shot and killed on the scene by Wortham's father.
The tragedy came just weeks after Wortham returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq.
He served in the Police Department for three years, and other officers said he would be remembered as a tireless fighter to keep Chicago's neighborhoods safer.
Wortham was one of five police officers who were shot and killed in the line of duty last year.
