‘He was a guardian for the most vulnerable’: Loved ones, city officials gather for ceremony honoring fallen CPD Officer Luis Huesca

CHICAGO — A series of events were held on Wednesday honoring a Chicago police officer who was killed in the line of duty earlier this year.

Loved ones and city officials and Gold Star families gathered to honor fallen Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca, whose name was added to the Gold Star Families Memorial Wall.

“He was a guardian for the most vulnerable, always speaking up and acting for those in need. A shining star with an infectious smile, who left an indelible mark on all of our hearts,”

Huesca, a six-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, was gunned down outside his Gage Park home in an attempted robbery and carjacking in April.

“He was a gift to us. He was your son, your brother, your friend, your relative. I pray that today is a moment of comfort as we remember the life and legacy of Officer Huesca and thank him for his service to our amazing city,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said.

Huesca was remembered at a series of ceremonies on Wednesday night for the loyal, adventurous, and kind person he was. Being described as an exemplary member of the CPD’s Area Two Priority Response Team

“When he went out to do his job, he wanted to protect people,” Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said. “If you talk to any of his partners, teammates, they all either had funny stories to tell or things that he did and set examples they wanted to follow.”

Gold star families offered their support to the Huesca family, including the mother of fallen police officer Areanah Preston, who was killed in May of 2023.

“Last year my family stood where you stood today, but please know my family and the entire Gold Star Memorial Foundation stands beside you during this unimaginable time,” Preston’s mother, Dionne Mhoon, said.

Officer Huescan’s mother, sister and brother were escorted to the memorial wall as they stood together and removed the checkered tape over his name.

“This is an incredibly beautiful and meaningful recognition of my brother and the rest of the people who are no longer here,” Huesca’s sister Liliana O’Brien said.

It is an etching that they say is a painful reminder of a reality that is so difficult to accept.

“It’s knowing that he’s not here, but your heart and your soul saying that he’s traveling somewhere and he’s going to come back and seeing his name makes it real that he’s not,” O’Brien said.

During the ceremony, the names of all 603 fallen CPD officers were read aloud.

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