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Memorial services begin for slain Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso

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Published  March 8, 2023 4:18pm CST
Chicago Police Department
FOX 32 Chicago

Thousands pay their respects to Chicago cop killed in the line of duty

Tears and tributes, as memorial services began on Wednesday for a Chicago police officer killed in the line of duty last week.

CHICAGO - Tears and tributes, as memorial services began on Wednesday for a Chicago police officer killed in the line of duty last week.

Hundreds of people lined the streets to pay their final respects.

It was truly a remarkable sight to see as the crowds lined up to honor Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso. The married 32-year-old officer was remembered at a private visitation service held at Blake Lamb Funeral home in Oak Lawn.

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Thousands were expected to make their way to Oak Lawn to pay their respects. Chicago police stood by all day showing their support for the family.

Vasquez-Lasso was fatally shot after he and other officers responded to a domestic violence call in Gage Park. An 18-year-old is charged with his murder.

Steven Montano and Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso

Maria Marmolejo knows this pain all too well, when her husband was killed on the job in 2018, and now she’s a member of the Gold Star families.

"These families sacrifice, they are sacrificing their person, their officer," said Marmolejo. "Our lives are changed, they are always going to be changed and so is theirs."

Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara says Vasquez-Lasso was the perfect example of CPD’s motto, "Be the Change."

"A young Hispanic officer, an immigrant first generation who wanted to do big things and be somebody and he was loved on midnight watch in the 8th district," said Catanzara. "Not that anybody ever deserves to lose their life, but when you have bright stars like that, it make the tragedy that much worse."

Those attending the visitation spoke with FOX 32 before heading in.

"It's devastating. We're still mourning the loss of Officer Ella French, and now this, not even two years later we're back again. This has to stop. We need to do more for our police officers and give them everything they need to fight the crime," said Alderwoman Silvana Tabares, 23rd Ward.

On Thursday morning, there will be a mass at St. Rita at 77th and Western. The burial will be private.