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Police Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso, Star #7649, aged 32 years, was a 4 year, 11 month, 13 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 8th District – Chicago Lawn.

On March 1, 2023, at approximately 4:43 p.m., Officer Vásquez Lasso and his partner responded to a domestic-related call about a man chasing a woman down the street with a gun on the 5200 block of South Spaulding Avenue. The responding officers observed Steven S. Montano, age 18, of 2545 South Lawndale Avenue, fleeing from the scene on foot. They exited their squad car in an attempt to stop Montano, giving chase. They were able to engage with Montano as he continued to flee from the officers. At 4:52 p.m., Montano opened fire on Officer Vásquez Lasso at 5217 South Spaulding Avenue striking him multiple times. Mortally wounded, Officer Vásquez Lasso was able to return fire striking Montano several times. Officer Vásquez Lasso was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital by CFD Ambulance #8 where he was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Chang at 5:28 a.m. on March 1, 2023.

The offender, Steven S. Montano was placed into custody on scene and was transported to Cook County Hospital by CFD Ambulance #69. Montano’s handgun was recovered on scene.

Officer Vásquez Lasso was waked at Blake Lamb Funeral Home, located at 4727 W. 103rd Street. His funeral mass was held on March 9, 2023 at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, located at 7740 S. Western Avenue.

Police Officer Andrés Mauricio Vásquez Lasso, born June 23, 1990, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on March 16, 2018. He attended the Jackson Street Police Academy and was issued Star #7649 on October 5, 2018. Officer Vasquez Lasso earned 1 Attendance Recognition Award, 1 2019 Crime Reduction Ribbon, 4 Honorable Mentions and 3 Emblems of Recognition for Physical Fitness during his career.

Officer Vásquez Lasso was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was survived by his wife, Milena Estepa; mother, Rocio Lasso; sister, Carolina Vasquez and niece Alejandra Guevara.

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #JG170543 Homicide First Degree and JG170751 Law Enforcement Related Death.

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Police Officer James R. Svec, Jr., Star #16713, aged 59 years, was a 19 year, 8 month, 12 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to Unit 544 – Detached Services (DS) – Uniformed Support Division.

On November 14, 2021, Officer Svec was on duty and fell ill, leaving work early. The next day Officer Svec was placed on the “”Medical Roll”” for flu-like symptoms after he began experiencing minor symptoms of COVID-19. He would soon test positive for COVID-19 and continue quarantine at his residence. With his symptoms worsening, he went to Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital, located at 12251 South 80th Avenue, Palos Heights, IL, and was admitted for bilateral covid pneumonia and remained there until his death on December 8, 2021.

Officer Svec worked in the Command Post for the Mayor’s Detail and throughout his shifts, he would have to interact with the public exposing himself to many who may have been infected with COVID-19. As a result, the Chicago Police Department has classified Officer Svec’s death as Line of Duty. Officer Svec was the fifth Chicago Police Officer to die in the line of duty from COVID-19.

Police Officer James R. Svec, born October 15, 1962, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on March 26, 2001, attended the Jackson Street Police Academy, and was issued Star #16713. On January 12, 2004, he was issued Police Officer Star #16607, after reporting his previous star lost. On January 16, 2004, he was reissued Police Officer Star #16713 after it was found. He earned 2 Department Commendations, The 2019 Crime Reduction Award, The 2009 Crime Reduction Award, The 2004 Crime Reduction Award, The NATO Summit Service Award, 1 Presidential Election Deployment Award, 11 Honorable Mentions and 4 Complimentary Letters during his career.

Officer Svec was waked at Lawn Funeral Home located at 7909 State Road, Burbank, IL. His funeral mass was held at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church located at 8000 Linder Avenue, Burbank, IL. He was laid to rest on December 16, 2021 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 West 111th Street, Alsip, Illinois. His grave is located in Grave 9, Lot 11, Block 7, Section 18.

Officer Svec was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was survived by his ex-wife, Beth; daughters: Chelsea, Samantha and Sydney and siblings: Joey, Sherri and Tammy Sharpe. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Joanne.

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Police Officer Jose “Joey” Ma Huerta, Star #13611, aged 50 years, was a 21 year, 9 month, 25 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Unit 193 – Gang Investigation Division (GID) and detailed to Unit 376 – Alternate Response Section (ARS).

On November 19, 2021, Officer Huerta was on duty and fell ill, but continued to work his shift. On November 24, 2021, Officer Svec was placed on the “Medical Roll” for flu-like symptoms after he began experiencing minor symptoms of COVID-19 after testing positive for COVID-19. On November 29, 2021, with his symptoms worsening, he went to MacNeal Hospital located at 3249 South Oak Park Avenue, Berwyn, IL and was admitted for bilateral covid pneumonia and remained there until his death on December 23, 2021.

Officer Huerta worked in an office environment with civilian and sworn personnel and throughout his shifts, he would have to interact with his coworkers exposing himself to many who may have been infected with COVID-19. As a result, the Chicago Police Department has classified Officer Huerta’s death as Line of Duty. Officer Huerta was the sixth Chicago Police Officer to die in the line of duty from COVID-19.

Police Officer Jose “Joey” Ma Huerta, born July 24, 1971, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on February 23, 2000, attended the Jackson Street Police Academy, and was issued Star #14506. On March 7, 2006, he was issued Police Officer Star #13611, after reporting his previous star lost. He earned 2 Annual Bureau Awards of Recognition, 2 Special Commendations, 1 Police Officer of the Month Award, 9 Department Commendations, 1 Problem Solving Award, 1 Honorable Mention Ribbon Award, 1 Joint Operations Award, 1 Traffic Stop of the Month Award, 3 Attendance Recognition Awards, The 2019 Crime Reduction Award, The 2009 Crime Reduction Award, The 2004 Crime Reduction Award, The NATO Summit Service Award, 1 Presidential Election Deployment Award, 86 Honorable Mentions, 1 Recognition / Outside Governmental Agency Award, 3 Complimentary Letters, 1 Emblem of Recognition for Fitness, and 1 Superintendent’s Honorable Mention Certificate during his career.

Officer Huerta was waked at Hallowell & James Funeral Home located at 1025 West 55th Street, Countryside, IL. His funeral mass was held at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church located at 8000 Linder Avenue, Burbank, IL.

Officer Svec was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth; children: Ariel and Joseph; mother, Mary and siblings: Benjamin (Veronica), Melissa, Paul (Maribel) and Rose Mary (John) Nocita. He was preceded in death by his father, Jose Ma.

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Detective Joseph Anthony Tripoli, Star #20571, aged 53 years, was a 27 year, 5 month, 29 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Unit 630 – Detectives – Area 3 and detailed to Unit 376 – Alternate Response Section (ARS).

On December 6, 2021, Detective Tripoli was on duty and fell ill, but continued to work his shift. For the next week and a half, he continued to feel symptoms and attempted to get tested for the COVID-19 virus but was unsuccessful. On December 16, 2021, Detective Tripoli was placed on the “”Medical Roll”” for a migraine headache after he continued experiencing minor symptoms of COVID-19. On December 16, 2021, he took a home test and tested positive for COVID-19 and continued quarantine at his residence. On January 3, 2022, with his symptoms worsening, an ambulance was summoned to his residence. He was transported to Community First Medical Center, located at 5645 West Addison Street, By CFD Ambulance #7. He was admitted for difficulty breathing which progressed to cardiac pulmonary arrest and then hypoxia. He was pronounced dead by Dr. Lala at 11:42 am on January 3, 2022.

The Chicago Police Department has classified Detective Tripoli’s death as Line of Duty. Detective Tripoli was the seventh Chicago Police Officer to die in the line of duty from COVID-19.

Detective Joseph Anthony Tripoli, born November 2, 1968, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on July 5, 1994, attended the Jackson Street Police Academy, and was issued Star #8240. On July 1, 2003, he was promoted to Detective and issued Detective Star #20571. He earned 2 Department Commendations, 1 Problem Solving Award, 1 Attendance Recognition Award, The 2019 Crime Reduction Award, The 2009 Crime Reduction Award, The 2004 Crime Reduction Award, The NATO Summit Service Award, 1 Presidential Election Deployment Award, 1 Democratic Convention Service Award, 10 Honorable Mentions and 6 Complimentary Letters, 2 Emblems of Recognition for Fitness during his career.

Officer Svec was waked at Lawn Funeral Home located at 7909 State Road, Burbank, IL. His funeral mass was held at Gibbons Family Funeral Home located at 5917 West Irving Park Road.

Detective Triploi was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was survived by his children: Jacqueline Nicole, Joseph Anthony and Nicholas William; father, Joseph M. (Mary) and siblings: Anthony, John and Matthew. He was preceded in death by his mother: Linda.

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #JF102127.

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Police Officer Ella Grace French, Star #15013, aged 29 years, was a 3 year, 3 month, 22 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 10th District – Ogden and detailed to Unit 716 – Community Safety Team (CST).

On August 7, 2021, at 9:08 p.m., Officer French was on duty at 2234 West 63rd Street working with her partners Carlos A. Yanez, Jr. #16022 and Joshua Blas #14751. The officers observed n SUV with expired registration and conducted a traffic stop. The vehicle contained three occupants; Emonte Morgan, age 21, Eric Morgan, age 19 and a female, age 21. Eric Morgan was driving the car, while the female was in the passenger seat and Emonte Morgan was in the back seat. There was open alcohol in the car and the female wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Officer French had Eric Morgan give her his car keys; he then told her he had cannabis, and French told him to get out of the car. The other officers ordered the other two to step out. Emonte Morgan exited the car with a drink in one hand and his cellphone in the other. He refused to put them down and jerked his arms away from the officer. At this point Eric Morgan fled on foot with Officer Blas giving chase. As Officer Blas pursued Eric Morgan, Officer French began to struggle with Emonte Morgan and they moved from the rear of the SUV towards the front passenger side of the car. It was at this time Emonte Morgan produced a Glock 17, 9mm, semi-automatic firearm from his waistband and shot Officer French one time at point blank range. Emonte Morgan then fired again striking Officer Yanez. At this point Officer Blas had caught Eric Morgan and was attempting to put him in handcuffs. Hearing the gunfire he stopped and returned to the scene to find Emonte Morgan standing at the rear of the car. Emonte fired at Officer Blas who then returned fire, striking Emonte Morgan, and fell to the ground. As Officer Blas stood back up he observed Eric and Emonte Morgan meet up across the street, exchange the firearm, and begin to flee the scene. Officer Blas returned to the car to locate his partners and discovered they had been shot. He immediately radioed for help and a perimeter was established. Responding officers were able to locate Emonte Morgan and Eric Morgan was tackled by two citizens as he attempted to cut through a yard. The two citizens held him down until police arrived and the firearm was also recovered nearby in the yard.

Officer French was shot once in the back of the head and was transported to the University of Chicago Hospital by responding officers where she was pronounced dead. Officer Yanez sustained three gunshot wounds; two in the head, one round exiting the right eye and the other lodging in the back of his head, and the third round striking his right shoulder. He was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital by responding police where he was treated and later transferred to the University of Chicago Hospital and admitted to the ICU. Officer Blas was uninjured and taken to Holy Cross Hospital for observation. Emonte Morgan sustained two gunshot wounds, one in the abdomen and the other in the left bicep, and was transported to Christ Medical Center by CFD Ambulance #8.

Emonte Morgan and Eric Morgan were placed in custody and arrested at the scene. The third female offender fled the scene and made good her escape, she was later identified, located and arrested the next morning on August 8, 2021. The Glock 17 used by Emonte Morgan was recovered at the scene and inventoried. On August 9, 2021, Emonte Morgan was charged with 1 count of 1st Degree Murder, 2 counts of Attempted Murder and 1 count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon. On August 9, 2021, Eric Morgan was charged with 1 count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, 1 count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon with a Prior Conviction and 1 count of Obstruction of Justice. The Glock 17 was traced and it was learned that it had been obtained through a straw purchase. The weapon was purchased by Jamel Danzy, age 29, of Hammond, Indiana from a firearms dealer in the same city. Danzy then transferred that weapon to Eric Morgan knowing he was not legally able to purchase a firearm. On August 9, 2021, Danzy was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Knowingly Transferring a Firearm to an Out of State Resident and Knowingly Disposing of a Firearm for a Convicted Felon. It was also learned through investigation that the SUV the three had been driving in was registered to Danzy.

Officer French was waked at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, located at 7740 South Western Avenue. Her funeral mass was held at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel. She was cremated and entombed on August 21, 2021 in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 400 South Wolf Road, Hillside, Illinois.

Police Officer Ella Grace French, born August 31, 1991, received her Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on April 16, 2018. She attended the Jackson Street Police Academy and was issued Star #15013 on October 26, 2018. Officer French earned 1 2019 Crime Reduction Ribbon, 15 Honorable Mentions and 1 Emblem of Recognition for Physical Fitness during her career. Prior to joining the Chicago Police Department, Officer French was a Corrections Officer for the Cook County Sheriff’s Department.

Officer French was survived by her mother, Elizabeth and brothers: Andrew, Christian, Julian and Michael.

Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #JE329873 and JE330037.

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