Evergreen Park police retire slain officer's badge

Thomas E. Wortham IV was an Evergreen Park police officer for less than a year, but his service to the community will never be forgotten, officials said.

Wortham was honored at Tuesday night's Evergreen Park Village Board meeting during a ceremony that featured the retirement of his badge.

"He will never be forgotten, and his star will always shine brightly," Evergreen Park Police Chief Michael Saunders said. "Officer Wortham died doing a job that he loved."

Wortham, 30, was shot and killed May 19 during a robbery attempt outside his father's home in Chicago. A graduate of Brother Rice High School, Wortham was a Chicago Police officer for three years when he died. A member of the Wisconsin National Guard, he also served two tours of duty in Iraq.

But Wortham began his law enforcement career as a member of the Evergreen Park Police Department, where he served from September 2006 to May 2007.

"He will always be held in the highest regard," Mayor James Sexton said.

Saunders said: "Officer Wortham did not lose his life, he gave it. ... Officer Thomas E. Wortham IV will never be forgotten."