Off-duty Cook County Sheriff's deputy killed in shootout at gas station

CHICAGO (CBS) — An off-duty Cook County Sheriff's deputy died after a shootout during a robbery attempt at a gas station in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood.

Police said just before 1:30 a.m., the 31-year-old man was at a gas station in the 500 block of East 67th Street when another man approached and pulled out a handgun.

The victim also pulled out a gun and exchanged gunfire with the would-be robber, who fled on foot. Police said the victim was the target of an attempted robbery.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office confirmed the victim was an off-duty deputy. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified him as Rafael D. Wordlaw, of Chicago.

Chicago police said Wordlaw was shot in the chest and tried to leave the scene in his car but crashed into a nearby pole. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died.

A procession of police and sheriff's vehicles later escorted Wordlaw's body from the hospital to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

No one was in custody Tuesday morning. Chicago Police Area 1 detectives were investigating.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office said, "Sheriff's Office staff are with the Deputy's family as well as with the Sheriff's Office team to provide support and resources as they navigate this senseless tragedy."

Mayor Brandon Johnson also offered his "deepest condolences" to the sheriff's office and Wordlaw's family.

"My prayers, of course, are with the family, and as this investigation unfolds, like all violence in the city or anywhere else, people have to be held accountable to their actions," Johnson said.