NOBLE Chicago Metropolitan Chapter
 

In Memoriam

Officer Michael R. Bailey
Chicago Police Department
Star #13970
End of Watch: July 18, 2010

Officer Michael Bailey On 18-JUL-2010, Police Officer Michael Bailey, Star # 13970, was shot and killed as he was returning home from his tour of duty. Officer Bailey was a decorated twenty-year veteran of the Department and was most recently assigned to the 1st District. The investigation into his murder is currently ongoing.

NOBLE would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Bailey family.




Officer Thor Soderberg
Chicago Police Department
Star #14767
End of Watch: July 7, 2010

Officer Thor Soderberg At approximately 3:45 on 07-JUL-2010, Chicago Police Officer Thor Soderberg, Star # 14767, who was working Operation Protect Youth, returned to his vehicle at the end of his tour of duty. The vehicle was located in the parking lot of the police facility at 61st and Racine. While in that parking lot, the uniformed officer became involved in a struggle with a 24-year old male individual. During the struggle, the offender disarmed the officer and fatally shot him.

The offender fled and is believed to have committed an armed robbery a short distance away. He fired additional shots, which were heard by officers inside the police facility. Several officers quickly responded and there was an exchange of gunfire. The offender was shot during that exchange and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment. His injury is considered non-life threatening.

The 43-year old officer was an 11-year veteran of the Department and was most recently assigned to the Education and Training Division.

NOBLE would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Soderberg family.


Officer Thomas E. Wortham IV
Chicago Police Department
Star #6181
End of Watch: May 20, 2010

Officer Thomas E. Wortham IV Chicago Police Officer Thomas E. Wortham IV, Star #6181, was murdered during an armed robbery attempt near his family's home in the 8400 Block of South Martin Luther King Drive. Officer Wortham was able to return fire during the attack, but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced shortly after midnight on May 20th, 2010.

Officer Wortham joined the Chicago Police Department in June 2007 and served with distinction in the Englewood District. He also served our country as a First Lieutenant in the Army National Guard and most recently completed a tour of duty in Iraq on March 30, 2010.

Two male offenders were shot during the attack; one was pronounced dead and the other is currently hospitalized for his injuries. Two other offenders are in police custody.

NOBLE would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Wortham family.


Sergeant Alan Haymaker
Chicago Police Department
Star #2532
End of Watch: February 22, 2010

Sergeant Alan Haymaker Sergeant Alan Haymaker, 56 years old, sustained fatal injuries following an accident which occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. Sgt. Haymaker was responding to a call of a burglary in progress when he lost control of his patrol car while traveling southbound on Lake Shore Drive. According to eyewitness accounts, Sgt. Haymaker’s police vehicle struck a light pole and a tree.

Sgt. Haymaker, a 21-year veteran and third generation police officer, was assigned to the 023rd Police District since December 2009.

NOBLE would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Haymaker family.


Officer Alejandro Valadez
Chicago Police Department
Star #9534
End of Watch: June 1, 2009

Officer Alejandro Valadez Officer Alex Valadez was shot and killed while investigating reports of gunfire on South Hermitage Ave. shortly after midnight. As he and his partner were questioning several individuals, a vehicle drove up and an occupant opened fire, striking Officer Valadez once in the leg and once in the head. He was transported to Stroger Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds later in the day.

Officer Valadez had served with the Chicago Police Department for three years. He earned one Chicago Police Department Commendation and twenty two honorable mentions.

NOBLE would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Valadez family.


Officer Richard M. Francis
Chicago Police Department
Star #5276
End of Watch: July 2, 2008

Officer Richard M. Francis Officer Richard M. Francis was a 27-year veteran Chicago police officer who was fatally shot by a woman who grabbed his gun during a struggle which took place outside the police area headquarters building at Belmont Avenue and Western Avenue.

Officers responded to the scene at Belmont and Western Avenues around 2 a.m. and shot the woman several times in defense of the officer, critically wounding her.

NOBLE would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Francis family.


Officer Nathaniel Taylor
Chicago Police Department
Star #7322
End of Watch: September 28, 2008

Officer Nathaniel Taylor On September 28th, 2008, Officer Nathaniel Taylor was shot and killed as he was conducting a narcotics investigation on the 7900 block of S. Clyde Street. Officer Taylor was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds later in the day.

Officer Taylor is survived by his wife and 5-year old daughter.

NOBLE would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Taylor family.




Detective Joseph Airhart Jr.
Chicago Police Department
Star #20931
End of Watch: November 4, 2008

Detective Joseph Airhart Jr. Det. Joseph Airhart Jr., who was gravely wounded seven years ago as he tried to arrest a bank robbery suspect inside a South Loop apartment building died on November 4th, 2008.

NOBLE would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Airhart family.




Officer Michael A. Robbins
Chicago Police Department
Star #4203
End of Watch: September 13, 2008

Officer Michael A. Robbins Officer Michael Robbins succumbed to complications from gunshot wounds sustained 14 years earlier while responding to a call of shots fired in a neighborhood. As Officer Robbins and his partner arrived, a suspect walked up to an open window in a residence and fired multiple times, striking both officers who survived.

Officer Robbins, who was shot 11 times, had three bullets which remained lodged in his heart. He was found dead in his apartment as a result of those injuries on September 13, 2008. Prior to Officer Robbins' death, the 22-year-old suspect was sentenced to 120 years in prison.

Officer Robbins had served with the Chicago Police Department for eight years at the time of the shooting and was assigned to the Grand Crossing District. He was a US Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and a recipient of a Bronze Star. Officer Robbins is survived by his daughter, two sons, stepson, two grandchildren and a brother.

NOBLE would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Robbins family.


Officer Eric Solorio
Chicago Police Department
Star #13609
End of Watch: February 12, 2006

Officer Eric Solorio On 17 Jan 2006, Officer Eric Solorio and his partner were on aggressive patrol in a designated deployment zone, when their squad car skidded out of control on icy pavement resulting in a tragic accident. Officer Solorio was critically injured and succumbed to his injuries on 12 Feb 2006.

NOBLE would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Solorio family.




Officer Michael Gordon
Chicago Police Department
Star #18751
End of Watch: Auugut 8, 2004

Officer Michael Gordon While on patrol in the 11th District, the vehicle driven by Officer Michael Gordon was struck by a drunk driver. Tragically, Officer Gordon sustained serious injuries, and subsequently died as a result of the accident.

NOBLE would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Gordon family.