Friday, May 21, 2010

More stories on Officer Thomas Wortham


This one from FOX Chicago:
Wortham had gone to see his parents “to show his dad his new bike,” said Lyle, who represented Wortham when he closed on a building in the neighborhood.

He’d also driven her around during one of her aldermanic campaigns, she said.

“To have people try to rob him of his motorcycle — to have that happen at his father’s house? I’m numb and heartbroken,” she said. “He was willing to put his life on the line for this country, only to have people who want nothing and are about nothing take his life. I’m just so angry about this.”

Wortham was active in his community. He was president of the Cole Park Advisory Council, a role he sought so he could “keep the park safe, enjoyable and well-stocked for the children of the neighborhood where he was raised,” Lyle said, and was involved in a “take back the park” effort planned for Sunday in response to recent shootings there.

Wortham was gunned down in front of the house where he grew up. His grandfather built it. It’s at the north end of Cole Park.
...
The shooting stunned neighbors of the Wortham family.

Miles Stewart, 48, was coming home from work on the back of a buddy’s bike Wednesday night. As he rounded the corner a block from the Wortham home, he said, “10 shots rang out.”

He said Wortham was on the ground in his motorcycle helmet and gear. Two of the would-be robbers were lying on the ground, he said, and two more jumped in a car and sped off, running Wortham over.

“I ran over there and went up to Thomas to help, and his dad told me to get away from his son,” Stewart said. “"His dad had two guns — a semi-automatic and a revolver, and he said, ‘They were robbing my son, and I shot them.’ ”

After Stewart identified himself as a family friend, Wortham’s father let him assist, he said.
There are other stories linked with this article. I won't excerpt but hopefully you might be interested in reading them.
BTW, John Kass talks about Daley's renewed call for more gun control:
A reporter asked the obvious question: Given the numbers of shootings in the city, isn't the handgun ban ineffective?

The question was more than fair. In Chicago, the only people who are confident in their 2nd Amendment rights to bear arms are the criminals, the cops and the politicians.

Law-abiding citizens can't own handguns. They don't have an army of bodyguards, as does Daley. Political hacks have guns. They get out the vote for his machine.

And the retired neighbor who's never been arrested in his life? Oh, no. If he has a gun, it would be anarchy in the streets, according to Daley.

Confronted with a logical question, here's what the mayor did: He picked up a rifle from the prop table of guns, raised it and began to babble.

"It's been very effective," said Daley of the handgun ban. "If I put this up your butt, you'll find out how effective it is. Let me put a round up your, you know."

The mayor of Chicago then went on to say if the justices were attacked by thugs with guns, they'd see things his way.

"Maybe they'll see the light of day," Daley said. "Maybe one of them will have an incident, and they'll change their mind overnight, going to and from work."
ABC 7 with a report on the murder of Thomas Wortham:


CBS2 has a report about Cole Park, the park is right across the street from where Officer Wortham was murdered. You can also click the pic to watch the video.


Another video from CBS2 about a prayer vigil at Cole Park


EDIT: In the comments section of the Chicago Tribune / Chicago Breaking News story, one person suggested re-naming the park after Officer Wortham, especially in light of his dedication to it.

2 comments:

  1. All, I've been away from the site for the past few days-- my grandmother passed on the 14th, and we just buried her Friday, 5/21.
    Right now, my heart is overflowing with grief for Officer Wortham and his family... This is just too MUCH!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I did not know Thomas Wortham personally, but like many, I am deeply sadnned about his untimely death. He seemed like such a wonderful person. I watched his entire funeral service on abc7chicago.com. I cried soooo much, he was a role model and so much more. The world that we live in today is so sad... All of the black on black crime in our communities, is out of control. We need more men like Officer Thomas Wortham. I am at a lost of words of the way he died, so senseless. He served two tours in Iraq and was killed on the streets of Chicago. I am praying for the Wortham family as they go through this very difficult time. We cannot let these thugs take over our streets. I really wish that they would call in The National Guard, we need enforcement ASAP... My heart goes out to his father, I know this has been too much on him, witnessing the death of his only son. Mr. Wortham you are such a great father, and you have children to be very proud of. Mrs. Wortham, you did a wonderful job raising your children. I really hate that, that night ever happened. Things have to get better...

    ReplyDelete

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