Flags lowered to honor slain officer

May 25, 2010

Flags lowered to honor slain officer

Under a proclamation signed by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, the United States flag and the Illinois flag are to be at half-staff at all State of Illinois facilities in honor of a Chicago police officer slain during a robbery attempt.

Flags are to be flown at half-staff beginning at sunrise, Wednesday, May 26, until sunset,Friday, May 28, in honor of officer Thomas E. Wortham, IV.

Reports say Wortham, 30, died Wednesday, May 19, from injuries received after he was shot while leaving his parents’ home. Four suspects allegedly approached Wortham and tried to steal his new motorcycle. Wortham identified himself as a police officer and was shot in an exchange of gunfire.

Reports say that Wortham’s father, a retired Chicago police officer, ran from his house and shot two of the suspects, one fatally. One suspect was seriously injured and the other two were arrested the next day.

Wortham joined the police department in June 2007. He was a first lieutenant in the Illinois Army National Guard and returned from a deployment to Iraq March 30, according to reports.