Roll of Honor
Rafael Wordlaw
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Rafael Wordlaw was shot and killed at about 1:25 am when he intervened in an armed robbery on the 500 block of E 67th Street, in Woodlawn, while he was off duty.
He was sitting in a car at a gas station when an armed subject attempted to rob his friend, who was pumping gas. Deputy Wordlaw drew his weapon and attempted to intervene in the robbery. During a subsequent exchange of gunfire, Deputy Wordlaw was struck in the chest.
The subject was armed with two handguns, one of which had a drum magazine and converted to fully automatic. The offender fired 69 rounds at Deputy Wordlaw during the shooting. One of the rounds struck Deputy Wordlaw's firearm and disabled it after he fired one round, which struck the subject in the leg. Deputy Wordlaw's friend was also wounded.
The man was arrested several hours later at a local hospital while seeking treatment for his gunshot wound. He was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery with a firearm, and numerous other felonies. He had recently been released from prison after serving only one year of an eight-year sentence for multiple felony firearms-related charges.
Deputy Wordlaw had served with the Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections for 4-1/2 years and was assigned to Division 6 of the Cook County Jail.
Survivors
He is survived by his father, who served with the Chicago Police Department, and his aunt, who raised him.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-5312BC63- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Wordlaw gave the Cook County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Wordlaw.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Rafael Wordlaw is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections, 5 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Rafael Wordlaw's cause is highlighted.
How Rafael Wordlaw Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Rafael Wordlaw is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Rafael Wordlaw was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
