Off-duty Cook County Sheriff’s deputy dies after being shot at gas station, person of interest in custody

CHICAGO — An attempted armed robbery on the city’s South Side early Tuesday morning left an off-duty Cook County Sheriff’s deputy dead.

The deputy, who has been identified by family members as 31-year-old Rafael Wordlaw, died following a shooting and crash in Woodlawn.

Officers say the deadly incident unfolded just before 1:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 500 block of East 67th Street when someone tried to rob Wordlaw. According to family, Wordlaw was out earlier in the night with friends before stopping at a gas station in the area.

According to police, Wordlaw was at the gas station when he was approached by another man, and the two started arguing.

Police say when the offender took out a handgun, Wordlaw also pulled out his gun, and an exchange of gunfire ensued before the offender fled the scene on foot.

Officers say Wordlaw suffered a gunshot wound to his chest and attempted to drive his vehicle but crashed into a pole in the 6700 block of South Indiana Avenue.

He was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities say a person of interest has been taken into custody in connection with the deadly shooting, but police have not said whether that person is believed to be the shooter.

No charges have been announced as of Wednesday morning.

‘It just broke me’

As an investigation into the shooting continues, family members are remembering a man who they said did “everything right.”

“I woke up this morning and got the call, and it just broke me,” Wordlaw’s cousin, Sherica Henry, said.

Loved ones of the victim are dealing with collective heartbreak after Wordlaw’s death. He would’ve turned 32 on Aug. 10.

“I never thought it would hit us like this,” Henry said. “It’s been a long time since we had a death in the family that came from gun violence.”

Wordlaw, who was adopted by his aunt at a young age, grew up in Englewood and graduated from Urban Prep — where family says he was at the top of his class — before attending Indiana State University. He then came home to work as a corrections officer at the Cook County Jail, where he worked for almost five years.

“He really liked to work. That was his main thing,” Wordlaw’s cousin, Jordan Wilson, said.

Family members said Wordlaw was not married and had no children of his own but was close with his cousins and other extended family.

They described him as a peacemaker.

“Very loving. Loved to make everyone laugh,” Wilson said. “Very fun to be around. Life of the party. Very much a protector. He’s always going to make sure everyone’s okay.”

The Cook County Sheriff’s Department released the following statement about the shooting:

An off-duty Deputy was killed in a shooting incident early this morning in the 500 block of East 67th Street. Please contact the Chicago Police Department for information about the investigation of the incident. 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 .

Cook County Sheriff’s Department

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said his prayers were with the family and that the gunman would be held accountable. The mayor also extended his condolences to the Sheriff’s Office.

Family members held a balloon release ceremony for Wordlaw on Tuesday night outside the Cook County Jail.

At 4 p.m. Wednesday, family and friends will hold a vigil for Wordlaw at West 46th Place and South Princeton Avenue, in Fuller Park.

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