CBS Chicago: Chatham Park Event Honors Fallen Police Officer

[VIDEO] CBS Chicago's Mike Parker paid a visit to Cole Park - 361 E. 85th St. - honoring the life of Chicago Police Officer Thomas Wortham IV. He was murdered near the park back in 2010 and since then has been host to a number of events including Peace in the Park after Dark which have been held in his honor.

Wortham family sues seller of gun used in killing

The Chicago Tribune reports that the family of Officer Thomas Wortham IV is now suing the gun shop that sold the weapon used in the slaying of their family member.

The gun was sold to a straw purchaser, who in turn sold it to a trafficker who sold it to the gang members. The purchaser and the trafficker have already been convicted, but also named in the lawsuit.

Here's the video from WGN news:

Chatham: Battered but Vibrant

[VIDEO] This was a very powerful story about Chatham from the New York Times. Worlee told the story about how this story was written and eventually published and he was quoted in the write-up. It starts with the attempted robbery and murder of Chicago Police Officer Thomas Wortham in 2010. That event was considered a "cataclysm"

For all that, the social scientists studying Chicago neighborhoods in 2010 were betting that the middle-class enclave of Chatham, on the city’s South Side, would remain stable through the recession. It had done so for decades, while surrounded by impoverished areas. It had somehow absorbed a wave of newcomers from recently demolished housing projects. And the researchers’ data suggested that its strong identity and scores of active block groups had helped protect residents from larger economic threats and offered clues about how to preserve threatened urban communities all over the country.

Chatham should hold, barring some unforeseen cataclysm.

The cataclysm hit on May 19 of that year. That night, a group of assailants jumped Thomas Wortham IV, an off-duty police officer and Iraq war veteran, as he was leaving his parents’ house. He resisted and was shot, bleeding to death on the street where he grew up.

The entire city seemed to stop for breath, holding a memorial attended by hundreds of fellow police officers and citizens, Mayor Richard M. Daley and Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois.

“We were blindsided by this; blindsided by what happened to Tommy,” said his mother, Carolyn Wortham. “And yes, you begin to question everything.”

In Chatham, it seemed, all bets were off. Many residents began to think the unthinkable, that maybe it was time to escape the place they had done so much to build.

The community’s response to the crisis would test a theory emerging from an ambitious, nearly decade-long study of all of Chicago’s neighborhoods — that a neighborhood’s character shapes its economic future at least as much as more obvious factors like income levels and foreclosure rates.

And we still have the issue of crime with Chatham being the location of the 10th firearm death in Chicago. I can only hope it doesn't get worse this summer. Also, I hope the NY Times won't think that crime will go through the roof in Chatham!

Uptown Update: New Law: Felons With Guns Go To Jail

Uptown Update: New Law: Felons With Guns Go To Jail:

Uptown Update notes a new law to go into effect that came about as a result of the death of Officer Thomas Wortham last year. It was recently signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn on August 2nd.

In fact, it seems similar to another law that was signed into effect at Chatham's Cole Park last year by Gov. Quinn during the course of last year's election.

Well we should ask the same question as the Uptown blog:

Since so many of the gangbangers are convicted felons, do you think it will have any effect on their behavior?  Or at least get them off our streets for longer periods of time?

What do you think?

Let's Stop The Hypocrisy- Let's Move Forward

 This past week was an ugly week in our community. First with  knuckle heads shooting at the King Drive bus and then the attempted armed robbery of a senior citizen. Fortunately, no was seriously hurt. Mr. Edward Alexander, 85 was shot in the thigh during the scuffle with his assailant. Mr. Alexander stated he fought back because you have to take a stand at some point.

Our community has said that Crime, Education, Economic Development, Seniors and Youth are our top priorities. This upcoming Saturday, August 20th starting at 9am the 6th ward will have events that address all of the above issues. Unfortunately, there was a lack of coordination among the event organizers but the events are in close proximity whereas individuals can attend several if they choose.

All the events are IMPORTANT and I wish that the event organizers asked their supporters to be respectful of all the events on that day. Acting a fool on social networking sites, posting over other events and making petty comments is disrespectful and unnecessary. All the "drive by community activist" need to relax because people are going to choose what events they want to attend and there is more than enough time for individuals to attend more than one.

This is the time for our community to show everyone we really care and let people like Mr. Alexander and the Wortham family that their act were not in vain. and are just not giving lip service to the issues that affect our community.

Save the Date: August 20, 2011 IMPORTANT EVENTS IN THE 6th WARD

Save The Date: August 20th, 2011 will be a busy day in the 6th ward:

The Thomas Wortham Family Educational Walk
Join the Wortham Family, Thomas Wortham Education Foundation, Chicago Police Department , CAPCC and others as they walk from 75th King Drive to Cole Park (85th King Drive) to Stop The Violence in our community and raise awareness on the value of education.
Starts: 9:30 am
Cost: Free

GCA Host Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy
Where: Carter Temple 7858 S Wabash
When: 11:00am
Cost: Free

The 6th Ward Back To School Picnic
Join the Honorable Roderick T. Sawyer, Alderman of the 6th Ward for the 1st annual 6th Ward Back To School Picnic.
Where: Tuley Park 90th King Drive
Starts: 10 AM to 6 PM
Cost: Free


Chatham Yard Sale Flyer (1)
Chatham Yard Sale
Where: 80th Michigan
When: 8am- 6pm Sat and Sun
Cost: Free to enter

Coffee & Cake Benefit for the Kusanya Cafe

When:Saturday, August 20th

Where:Hamilton Park Cultural Center 

513 W. 72nd Street

Time: 4pm-6pm

Cost: Free-Donation Requested

Cole Park Classic

Where:Cole Park 85th King Drive

Time : 12:00 pm

Cost: Free

Chatham/Avalon Park Community Council: 1st Annual Chatham Education Walk

Chatham/Avalon Park Community Council: 1st Annual Chatham Education Walk:

To highlight the importance of the family unit and the education of their children: please join us for : 1st Annual Chatham Education Walk in memory of Officer Thomas Wortham on Saturday, August 20, 2011 @ 10am until 11:00am (75th to 85th & King Drive) Cole Park. We are seeking for parents & their children to walk together! 

Added to our calendar!

Sun-Times features the Chatham community

Mary Mitchell began a 3 part series on Chatham.   It features several of our residents.

In 1986, the Sun Times wrote some articles about Chatham.  This series is a sort of update for those articles.

Here's the intro

There are things the good Lord and good black folks just wouldn’t allow in Chatham.

No barbecuing on the front lawn.

No hanging on corners.

No loud music.

No ball-playing after dark.

No penny-pitching on sidewalks or racket on the street at all hours of the night.

And definitely, definitely no trampling the grass.

The rules in Chatham were never painted on signs. Instead, they’ve long been etched in the hearts of homeowners who live in the neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago bounded roughly by the Dan Ryan Expressway to the west, Cottage Grove Avenue on the east, 87th Street on the south and 79th Street on the north

Read the full article here.

The series is as follows:

DAY 1: The Changing Chatham – a look back at 20 years of a neighborhood in transition.

DAY 2: A Class DIVIDE - Chatham isn’t the exclusive community with high property values and picky landlords that it used to be.

DAY 3: The Next Generation Fights for the Future.

What do you think of the article? Does it represent us well?

Concerned Citizens of Chatham: Happy Memorial Day

 

Concerned Citizens of Chatham: Happy Memorial Day

Worlee not only honors the military on this day, but also Thomas Wortham, Michael Bailey, and Cory Ankum. The first two police officers and the last one a fire fighter.

Concerned Citizens of Chatham: Pictures From Officer Thomas Wortham Memorial

 
Concerned Citizens of Chatham: Pictures From Officer Thomas Wortham Memorial

Worlee posted some pictures at his blog from last Thursday's memorial for the late police officer Thomas Wortham. This event took place at Cole Park @ 361 E. 85th St. It was a year ago when Officer Wortham was killed outside of his family home near Cole Park. Wortham was the victim of an attempted robbery.

Slain police officer's star retired

Photo by José M. Osorio, Chicago Tribune

Tribune:

The star of slain Chicago police Officer Thomas Wortham IV was to be retired weeks ago with a ceremony honoring his sacrifice, but it had to be postponed because it fell on the same day as services for Michael Flisk, the fifth officer killed in the line of duty in 2010.

Today, the moment finally arrived for Wortham's star No. 6181 to be placed inside a glass cabinet in police headquarters beside those of the 477 other Chicago police officers killed in the line of duty since the 1800s.

Wortham was a 30-year-old Englewood District officer who was fatally shot in May when four people tried to rob him of his motorcycle while he was off-duty outside his parents' Chatham home. Just days before Wortham's death, the Tribune had quoted him in a story about how he and others in Chatham were battling to keep their middle-class neighborhood safe.
...
The stars of Flisk, an evidence technician killed in November, and Officers Thor Soderberg and Michael Bailey, who were each shot and killed in July, are still to be retired.

While fielding questions from reporters after the ceremony, Wortham's father, Thomas Wortham III, himself a retired Chicago police sergeant, wiped away tears as he discussed street violence.

"This is too much killing," he said.

The Tribune pic above is of Officer Thomas Wortham's parents being escorted after the ceremony that retired Wortham's Police star.

Where Do We Go in 2011

In 2010 some major issues came to light in our community. We saw a rise in serious crime that took the life of Officer Thomas Wortham, an up and coming police officer and community leader. We saw the fall of education where one of our high schools Robeson was called one of the worst in the nation and three of our elementary schools, Deneen, Gillespie and Ruggles showed up on CPS probationary list. Lastly, 79th street one of the longest streets in the city of Chicago and once a mecca for African American business now is a street of empty storefronts.

While we have had our struggles this year, the new year 2011 brings a lot of promise. The election of a new mayor, a real aldermandic election, and a community that has wakened up. What do we need to do in 2011? The first topic we want to discuss is education. We cannot continue to make excuses for our schools. Whether they are elementary, secondary or post secondary we MUST demand excellence from our educational institutions. I suggest that after the election for Alderman, that the winner convene several town hall meetings where we have a serious discussions about the problems and how do we fix them. Also, look at the models that are currently being used whether its the traditional, charter, or a hybrid combining the best of both. What will work best for our community? What ideas do you have to better our schools?

ABC7: Campout honors fallen Chicago police officer

You may have seen this advertised here. A campout to reclaim the park at Chatham's Cole Park located at 301 East 85th Street. ABC 7 has the story with this video report of yesterday's activities. Also Worlee posted some pics of last night on the Facebook page.

The fallen officer who is said to be honored by this event was Thomas Wortham. He was killed back in May during a botched robbery attempt near his family home across the street from the park. He was also a member of the advisory board for this park and was working hard to retake the park from the criminal element.

Chatham residents "camp out" against crime - CBS2 video

Also here's a Tribune article but I will excerpt an update that appears up top before the original article commences:

UPDATE: Shoulder to shoulder with their eyes to the ground, dozens of children performed garbage pick-up duty in chilly Nat King Cole Park Saturday morning, wrapping up the first "Peace in the Park After Dark" slumber party.

It won't be the last, Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (6th) promised.

"This has to be a tradition now," Lyle said."Maybe we'll do it a few weeks earlier, because it was a little on the cold side (Friday) night. But we'll definitely be back."

Sounds good to me!

Chicago Police Officer Killed in Park Manor

Story courtesy of CBS News

Chicago Police Officer Mike Bailey, 62, was shot and killed outside his home in the Park Manor neighborhood on July 18, 2010, after returning home from a shift guarding Mayor Richard M. Daley's home.

He spent 20 years on the job and was ready to retire in a few weeks. But Sunday night, fallen Chicago officer Mike Bailey is being remembered. Just hours after signing off from duty on the mayor's home protection detail, Bailey was shot and killed.

It's devastating for many, and not just for Bailey's family, but the entire police force. Men and women are now coping with the third shooting death of an off-duty officer in the last two months.

A long line of police cruisers traveled a far too familiar path Sunday morning, escorting the body of slain officer Michael Bailey from Northwestern Memorial Hospital to the medical examiner's office for a murder investigation.

"Words cannot express the shock and outrage and sorrow we feel at the loss of a Chicago police officer. This is the third brave officer killed since May," said Assistant Police Superintendent Beatrice Cuello.

For much of the day, the area in front of Bailey's Park Manor home was busy with detectives collecting clues from a street littered with bullet casings. As many as three guns were found at the scene as family members like John Holmes try to cope.

"Everyone is sad --- and this happens too frequently," said Holmes, who is the cousin of Bailey's wife.

Officer Bailey spent the night on detail guarding Mayor Dailey's home. At 6 a.m., still in uniform, Bailey returned to his own house, cleaning out the new Buick he purchased for his retirement next month. Police sources say that's when as many as three suspects opened fire in an attempted robbery of the 62-year-old near the intersection of 74th Street and Evans Avenue. He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he died at about 6:40 a.m.

The officer -- still in uniform-- managed to fire his duty weapon, but it's unclear whether anyone was wounded.

"He was coming home from work," Ald. Freddrena Lyle (6th) said. "He was out there shining up his new car and somebody accosted him. How do you convince people to stay in a community when you have armed police officers shot down? It's devastating... It's like a war out here."

"The sadness is that we have laws on the books to stop this, but people have no fear for the consequences of what they do," said Holmes.

Neighbors said they knew Bailey as 'Big Mike,' the vice president of their block club who'd stop for a cigarette outside his home after a shift. He was looking forward to his retirement, they said.

"Big Mike was the guy who kept this block straight," neighbor Faia Malik, said. "This neighborhood has fallen. This is random violence — everybody knew who Big Mike was."

Longtime friend Stephanie Tatum, said Bailey was godfather to her two sons.

"I don't believe it. You never think it would have happened," Tatum said. "He made it this long. They are just killing cops like they are crazy."

"He was a wonderful man he was like a father of the block, he was wonderful," said neighbor Kiana McMahn.

She said Bailey's kindness included teaching many here to confront stress through meditation. Others remember him as president of the Community Block Watch Association, trying to keep others safe in his off-duty life.

"He was a wonderful man; he was concerned about his community," said neighbor Lillie Nix, who served on the community watch with him.

"I couldn't believe it. I screamed, I cried," neighbor Guylidia Hester said. "I wanted to go up to him but I couldn't."

Now she just wants to be able to comfort his grieving wife and console her over the loss of a man she calls a sweet angel.

"I'm scared to even look at her right now," Hester said. "I can't. It's so emotional right now."

Outside the hospital where Bailey died Sunday, members of the force gathered to show their respect in yet another instance of a murdered colleague.

"The frequency in which we are experiencing this is disturbing but it does go along with what's happening in our communities and it's unfortunate," said Mark Donahue, president of the police officer's union.

Daley was stunned and outraged when he heard of the officer's death.

"This is a tragic, stunning reminder of the senseless violence that stalks too many of our neighborhoods. Another Chicago Police officer gunned down, this time just weeks before leaving a long career of protecting Chicago. It's absolutely outrageous," Daley said. "Our prayers go out to the family of Officer Bailey. I knew him; he was a good man. He did not deserve this."

Police sources say Bailey's son, who was home at the time, tried to run after the suspects. They are said to have driven away in a tan Ford pickup truck possibly with bullet holes on the side. Detectives are searching for a black male, between the ages of 19 and 21, with "very short hair," and a tall, slim build. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and a brown belt.

Independent Police Review Authority and Calumet Area detectives are investigating. If anyone has information, contact police at (312) 747-8272.

Bailey is the third Chicago Police officer to be shot and killed since May. On July 7, Officer Thor Soderberg was shot and killed with his own weapon outside a police facility at 61st and Racine.

And late on the night of May 19, Officer Thomas Wortham IV was shot and killed outside of his parents' home as four men tried to steal his motorcycle.

Sunday morning, those fallen officers and thousands of others killed in the line of duty were remembered during a memorial ride.

"2010 has been a bad year for us-- Allan Haymaker, Thomas Wortham, Thor Soderberg and today Michael Bailey," said Officer Curt Kiebels of the Wheaton Police Department.

Former Police Superintendent Phil Kline lead more than 100 cyclists in a moment of silence for the latest Chicago police officer to die on Chicago's streets.

The cyclists came from all over the state to ride from police headquarters to the Gold Star Memorial honoring the more than 550 Chicago police officers killed in the history of the department. Many were fellow officers who started the ride four days earlier, more than 350 miles downstate.

"We all hope that none of us have to use the organization, but we all come together to raise awareness, to raise money, and to help those in their darkest hour when a situation like that does occur," Kline said.

Fifteen-year-old Riley Kralik knows about that darkest hour. She lived it when her uncle John Walsh was killed in Joliet six years ago. She knows how it felt then and how the love and support of other officers helped with her recovery. That's why she traveled to Chicago from her Tennessee home.
They were always there for u, so coming back and helping the new survivors grieve with everything they need makes me feel better," she said.

Several of the Illinois cops who rode across Illinois did so in honor of Officer Alex Valadez who was gunned down in June of last year. Valadez's sister, Brenda, says such support has meant everything to her family.

"It means so much to us and we want to express that same gratitude to the other families," she said.

It's what the late Thomas Wortham did for her family when he travelled with them to Washington to pay tribute to her murdered brother at a national police memorial. That was in May. Her seven-year-old son Adam made the trip and got to know Officer Wortham just days before he too was shot dead.

Complete story at http://cbs2chicago.com/local/police.officer.killed.2.1810874.html

Thomas E. Wortham IV Playground Fund

Friends of the Parks in partnership with the Wortham family, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Police Department, the Fraternal Order of Police, United Service, Alderman Lyle and Children’s Memorial Hospital have begun planning the creation of a playground in honor of slain Chicago Police Officer Thomas Wortham IV.

This new children’s playground will be constructed in Cole Park at 85th Street and Martin Luther King Drive across the street from his parents’ house. The new playground will be named the Thomas Wortham IV Playground in honor of this exemplary citizen.

Thomas Wortham IV was the President of the Cole Park Advisory Council and was active on a city-wide Park Advisory Council Network. Thomas committed his time, energy and vision to improving Cole Park. As President of the advisory council, Thomas worked on expanding recreation programs for youth, improving the children’s playground and the running track. At 30 years of age Thomas Wortham IV was a dedicated and respected community advocate who was a model for his community and all of Chicago. His loss on May 19th was devastating to all Chicagoans.

The Thomas Wortham IV Playground will be designed and constructed in Cole Park. The playground will be accessible to children of all abilities. The goal is to build the Thomas Wortham IV playground in the fall of 2010 during a two-day community-build event with volunteers from the Police Department, his family and friends and Friends of the Parks.

The cost of the playground is expected to be $225,000. Contributions can be made to the Thomas Wortham IV Playground Fund in c/o Friends of the Parks, 17 N. State Street, Suite 1450, Chicago, IL 60602 or online at http://fotp.org/volunteer/thomas-e-wortham-iv-playground-fund

THINK ABOUT IT anti-vilence campaign = Saturday, June 19th

Here's an upcoming event that was brought to our attention while at the Ruggles Prayer meeting.

(Apologies for the ALL CAPS)

SAMUEL B. RAWLS AND SON FUNERAL HOME CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO COME OUT AND PARTICIPATE IN THE “THINK ABOUT IT” ANTI-VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN MARCH ON SATURDAY JUNE 19^TH AT NOON.

JOIN CLIFF KELLEY, RADIO PERSONALITY KENYA SIMONE, ALDERMAN FREDDRENNA LYLE 6^TH WARD, ALDERMAN LATASHA THOMAS 17^TH WARD, AND REVEREND JESSE L. JACKSON SENIOR WILL DELIVER A KEYNOTE SPEECH ADDRESSING YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF CRIME ON OUR COMMUNITY.


THE “THINK ABOUT IT” MARCH STARTS PROMPTLY AT NOON ON SATURDAY JUNE 19^TH AT 71^ST AND MARTIN LUTHER KING DRIVE AND WILL END AT THE NEW FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH ON 71^ST AND HALSTED WITH A KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY REVEREND JESSE L. JACKSON SENIOR.

EVERY LIFE THAT WE HELP SAVE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR TOMORROW!!

‘THINK ABOUT IT”

--
For more information, contact event sponsor Rawls and Son Funeral Home

Samuel B. Rawls
President
773-445--8266
rawlsandsonfuneralhome@yahoo.com

Memorializing our veterans

We at the Sixth Ward Blog want to honor those who gave their lives for our freedoms, and those around the world.

We appreciate their service.

This particular Memorial Day hits us hard in our community as a veteran we have to now remember, Thomas Wortham IV, lost his life in the line of duty.  However, it wasn't in the Middle East or on our streets in patrol -- it was serving his family and community, and struck down at a very young age.

We thank him him and many others for their sacrifices, and hope each of us in the community can honor their sacrifices by making our own community, and the world around us, a better place.



If you have any stories, photos, etc. of our troops(those who have gone on, and those still with us), please let us know

Thank you!