Police Officer Thomas Wortham was shot and killed after identifying himself as a police officer when four subjects attempted to rob him while he was off duty at 11:25 pm.
Officer Wortham was visiting his parents’ home to show them pictures from the previous week’s Police Week activities that he attended in Washington, DC. As he was leaving, four men approached and attempted to rob him of his motorcycle near the intersection of East 85th Street and South Martin Luther King Drive. Officer Wortham drew his service weapon and fired at the suspects, but was fatally shot in the abdomen. He was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
Officer Wortham had served with the Chicago Police Department for nearly three years and was assigned to the Englewood District. He had previously served with the Evergreen Park Police Department for eight months and had recently returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq while serving with the Wisconsin Army National Guard. Officer Wortham was survived by his sister and parents.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wortham family and the Chicago Police Department.
To donate in memory of Officer Wortham, please visit our Fallen Heroes Donation page.