Police Officer Andres M. Vasquez Lasso

Andres Vasquez Lasso was a police officer who served on the Chicago Police Department for 5 years when he died in the line of duty while responding to a domestic incident.

He was born in Colombia and came to the US with his family at age 18.

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Honorary Police Officer Andres M. Vasquez Lasso Road

West Marquette Road between South Central Park Avenue and South Hamlin Avenue

 

Approved: January 2024

Ward: 23
Alderman: Silvana Tabares
Neighborhood: West Lawn

b. Colombia
d. March 1, 2023. Age 32, in Chicago

near
His home

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Source

20235871

https://www.odmp.org/officer/26629-police-officer-andres-m-vasquez-lasso

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/andres-vasquez-lasso-chicago-police-officer-funeral-service/3090052/

https://www.instagram.com/chicagopolicedepartment/reel/Cq3ViD4g6ix/

https://youtu.be/2Sifjy79MYo?si=WvlXYM-TXXlcqHnc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yr_9V2LS04

Darius D'Arco Teague

Darius D'Arco Teague served overseas as an Army Automated Logistical Specialist CRS in 2014; he was awarded several medals: National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal. Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service.

Darius grew up in Chicago and played football at Al Raby College Prep. He died as a result of gun violence.

Veteran: Army

Alum
John M. Smith Elementary School
Al Raby College Prep
Harold Washington College

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Honorary Darius D'Arco Teague WAY

South Morgan Street between West 14th Street and West 14th Place

 

Approved: February 2023

Ward: 25
Alderman: Sigcho-Lopez
Neighborhood: West Loop

b. November 4, 1991 in Chicago
d. October 30, 2021. Age 29

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Source

2023893

https://gunmemorial.org/2021/10/18/darius-darco-cool-teague

https://abc7chicago.com/darius-teague-chicago-shooting-digital-billboard-crime/11731278/

https://wgntv.com/news/chicagocrime/6-months-after-fatal-shooting-of-chicago-vet-crime-remains-unsolved/

Amanda Calo

Amanda Calo was a preschool teacher at Matthew Gaiiistel Language Academy. She was involved in the Safe Kids Chicago several other initiatives and interests including book and gardening clubs.

Her death was the result of domestic violence; a murder-suicide which made orphans of two children under the age of 5.

Alum:
National Louis University

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Honorary Amanda Calo Way

South Ewing Avenue, between East 103rd Street and East 104th Street

 

Approved: January 2023

Ward: 10
Alderman: Garza
Neighborhood: East Side

b. December 21, 1990
d. January 24, 2022. Age 32

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Source

20222715 replaced by 20223963

https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/family-wrapping-arms-around-children-after-mother-killed-by-isp-trooper-in-murder-suicide/

https://nypost.com/2022/01/27/illinois-state-trooper-killed-wife-who-wanted-a-divorce-in-murder-suicide/

https://people.com/crime/illinois-pre-k-teacher-found-dead-with-state-trooper-husband-in-apparent-murder-suicide/

Michael H. Bankston III

Michael Bankston asked a woman if she needed help during a domestic dispute in public. The assailant shot Michael six times.

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Honorary Michael H. Bankston, III Avenue

West Wrightwood Avenue, at North Logan Boulevard going to North Spaulding Avenue

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 35
Alderman: Ramirez-Rosa
Neighborhood: Logan Square

d. age 25

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Source

20221760

Benji Wilson

Benji Wilson was a high school basketball team captain of the Simeon Wolverines, who died as the result of gun violence. He was a very talented player. By sophomore year he had already made the varsity team. In 1984, his senior year, he was ranked the top high school player in the country and anticipated scholarships from multiple universities.

His jersey number was 25. In his honor this number was worn by his teammate, Nick Anderson when he attended University of Illinois, by Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, and by Brandon Sherrod Wilson, Benji’s son who was 10 weeks old when his father died.

Two documentaries have been filmed about his life and death: 2012 Benji, which premiered on ESPN; 2020 Two Sides of the Gun: A Story of Reconciliation. The 2020 film included the fulfillment of the dying wish of his mother, for her family and surviving sons to publicly forgive the murderer.

Alum:
Neal F. Simeon Vocational High School

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Honorary Benji Wilson Way

East 78th Street, between South Eberhart Avenue and South Rhodes Avenue

 

Approved: May 2022

Ward: 6
Alderman: Sawyer
Neighborhood: Chatham

b. March 18, 1967
d. November 21, 1984

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Source
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Wilson_(basketball)

20221617

Carlos F. Pagan

Carlos Pagan was a 19-year old shooting victim in the Albany Park neighborhood.

Alum:

Theodore Roosevelt High School

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Honorary Carlos F. Pagan Way

North Albany Avenue from West Argyle Street to West Carmen Avenue

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 33
Alderman: Rodriguez-Sanchez
Neighborhood: Albany Park

d. 2018. Age 19

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Source

https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/08/07/albany-park-neighbors-help-pay-funeral-costs-in-possible-mistaken-identity-murder/

2022843

Dwain P Williams

Dwain Williams was a 26 year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department. In 1992 he served as an Emergency Medical Technician to Engine 122 and later as a Fire Academy instructor in hazardous incidents and terrorist response. In 2018 he retired having achieved the rank of Lieutenant. He also worked in the Office of Emergency Management and Communication as a Watch Officer.

Prior to his time in the Chicago Fire Department, he served in the Army in international locations and in the Reserves as a Wire Systems Installer and Operator and at the 501st Signal Battalion and the 101st Airborne Assault Division. He was a decorated soldier and was an expert sharpshooter and hand grenade expert.

Dwain was intellectually curious and deeply knowledgeable. He earned four degrees and more than 80 certifications in professional and independent studies. He also had a passion for basketball, music and chess. He was a guitarist and went by the stage name “D-Sharp” with RAM Band and Mixed Nutz.

He taught computers and physical education at St. Phillip Neri School

Mentored at risk youth and athletics at the Chicago Park District

Listed in Who’s Who of Outstanding Young Americans

Veteran: Army. Active Duty 1976, Army Reserves
American Legion - George Giles Post #87

Alumnus:
Additional degrees and certifications
Harper High School
Altgeld Elementary School

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Honorary Lt. Dwain P. Williams Way

South Peoria Street, between 95th Street and 98th Street

 

Approved: February 2022

Ward: 34 and 21
Alderman: Austin and Brookins
Neighborhood: Longwood Manor

b. April 19, 1955
d. December 3, 2020. Age 65

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Source

2022255,181

Brandon William McGhee

Brandon was a 23-year old artist who was killed in a random act of gun violence. He was a good person who looked out for others. A classmate described him as a “beautiful soul.” He had played basketball and football at Lake View High School and worked at WhirlyBall, an entertainment center.

A mural in Brandon’s honor has been painted at the Logan Square Blue Line Station by local artist and friend of Brandon’s family, Tyrue “Slang” Jones.

Alumni:
Lake View High School

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Honorary Brandon William McGhee Way

West Homer Street from North Western Avenue to North Rockwell Street

 

Approved: 2021

Ward: 1
Alderman: La Spata
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

d. 2020. Age 23

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Source
Mural

Kaylyn Pryor Way

Kaylyn Pryor was a 20 year old model and aspiring law student when she was the unintended victim of a shooting. Kaylyn had been visiting her grandmother and was waiting for a bus which would take her back to her home in Evanston when she was shot. Earlier the same year she had won the Mario Triccoci “Make Me a Model” Competition and was days away from signing a modeling contract. Her killer has not been found.

Alumna:
Robert Morris University
Evanston Township High School

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Honorary Kaylyn Pryor

May Street between 74th Street and 75th Street

 

Approved: February 2021

Ward: 17
Alderman: Moore
Neighborhood: Englewood

b. February 19, 1995
d. November 2, 2015. Age 20

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Source

Janari Ricks Way

Janari Ricks was a 9-year old child who was the unintended victim of a shooting. The gunman fired into a group of adults and children in the Cabrini rowhouses.

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Honorary Janari Ricks Way

Southwest corner of North Cleveland and West Division Streets

 

Approved: October 2020

Ward: 27
Alderman: Burnett
Neighborhood: Cabrini Green

d. July 31, 2020

Near
Cabrini Rowhouses

Lena Marie Nunez Anaya Way

Lena was a 10 year old girl who was watching television with her brother in their grandmother’s apartment when a stray bullet came through the window and killed her. She was the innocent victim of gang violence a block away. A vigil was held by the community the next day.

The releasing of the white balloons pic.twitter.com/FzbEFoeZKI

— Mina Bloom (@mina_bloom_) June 30, 2020

Police have made an arrest in the shooting death of 10-year-old Lena Nunez, who was visiting her grandmother in Logan Square in late June when shew as shot i...

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Honorary Lena Marie Nunez Anaya Way

West Dickens Avenue, from North Drake Avenue to North St. Louis Avenue

 

Ward: 35
Alderman: Ramirez-Rosa
Neighborhood: Logan Square

b. September 7, 2009
d. June 28, 2020. Age 10. Chicago

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Source

Block Club

Twitter

WBEZ

Neftali Reyes, Jr. Way

Neftali “Buzzo” Reyes was 19 years old, he graduated with honors from Roberto Clemente High School in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. He was a star athlete and an outstanding sportsman for the Wildcats. It was his dream to be a Major League Baseball Pitcher. Neftali was on a full scholarship at Claflin University in South Carolina. He was at home in Chicago for the holidays and recovering from a sports injury when a stranded friend called in need of a ride late one night. Neftali became the innocent victim of a shooting.

Alumni:
Roberto Clemente Community Academy High School

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Honorary Netfali “Buzzo” Reyes, Jr. Way

1000 and 1100 blocks of West Luis Muniz Marin Drive

 

Approved: April 2020

Ward: 26
Alderman: Maldonado
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park

b. May 3, 1998. Chicago
d. December 29, 2017. Age 19.

Near
Little Cubs Field in Humboldt Park

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Source

Bobby Cann Way

Bicyclist, 26-year old Bobby Cann, was killed by a motorist while on his commute home from work. He had been a avid cyclist and advocate for bicycle awareness, safe biking and driving practices, and dedicated bike lanes. 

Two weeks before his death he participated in the Ride of Silence, the 3rd Wednesday in May, to raise awareness and mourn the loss of bicyclists.

The City of Chicago installed protected bike lanes along the stretch of street where the accident took place. The driver was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated drunk driving.

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Bobby Cann Way

Northwest corner of Clybourn and Larrabee

Approved: September 2013
Ward: 27
Alderman: Burnett
Dedication: October 25, 2013

Neighborhood: Old Town / Clybourn Corridor

May 29, 2013. Age 26.

 

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Memorial ghost bike, on Clybourn, one block south of sign on east side of street

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Bobby Cann, Huffington Post (Ret. May 30, 2017)
Bobby Cann Memorial, DNAinfo (Ret. May 30, 2017)
Memorial for Cyclist Robert Cann, Tribune (Ret. May 30, 2017)