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Police Officer Aréanah M. Preston, Star #15870, aged 24 years, was a 2 year, 5 month, 20 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 5th District – Calumet.

On May 6, 2023, at approximately 1:40 a.m., Officer Aréanah M. Preston was returning home after her shift at 8157 South Blackstone Avenue. Armed subjects confronted her, attempting to rob her. She was able to draw her weapon and exchanged shots with multiple subjects before being mortally wounded. The subjects stole her gun fleeing the scene. A report of shots fired was received by the Chicago Police Department and beat 495, Officer Schillaci #10879, was dispatched to investigate. Upon arrival Officer Schillaci discovered Officer Preston lying on the ground with an unzipped jacket and numerous gunshot wounds to her torso. Officer Schillaci observed the victim, now known as Officer Preston, was wearing a Chicago Police uniform and her firearm was missing from its holster. Officer Schillaci loaded Officer Preston into his squad car and transported her to the University of Chicago Hospital where she was pronounced dead by Dr. Benjamin at 2:25 a.m. on May 6, 2023.

On May 7, 2023, at 8:30 p.m., members of the Chicago Police Department SWAT team arrived at a home on the 7600 block of South Bishop Street. The offenders were tracked to this location after a cooperating witness was identified and interviewed by Area 2 Detectives. After an 8-hour standoff four subjects were taken into custody in connection to the murder of Officer Preston. Officer Preston’s firearm was also recovered during the incident. On May 7, 2023, at 7:30 p.m., a fifth 19-year old subject was placed into custody after Chicago Police surveillance near the scene of the SWAT incident observed him getting into an Uber near 76th Street and Bishop Avenue. A 9mm semi-automatic firearm was recovered from his person. He was also wanted for an armed robbery that occurred early Saturday morning May 5th, 2023 near 46th Street and Ellis Avenue in Kenwood.

Police Officer Aréanah M. Preston, born June 7, 1998, received her Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on November 16, 2020. She attended the Jackson Street Police Academy and was issued Star #15870 on May 20, 2021. Officer Preston earned 5 Honorable Mentions and 1 Complimentary Letter during her career.

Officer Preston was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. She was survived by her parents and twin sibling.

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #JG249822 Homicide First Degree, JG251349 Law Enforcement Non-Fatal Firearm Discharge and Law Enforcement Related Death.

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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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