- Credibility:
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Slain Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston was memorialized Wednesday in an emotional tribute before a crowd of family, friends, fellow officers, Mayor Brandon Johnson and former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Credit: Chicago Police DepartmentPreston’s funeral was held Wednesday morning at Trinity United Church of Christ, 400 W. 95th St., in Washington Heights.
Preston, 24, was returning home from work the night of May 6 when she was shot in the 8100 block of South Blackstone Avenue in Avalon Park, police said.
Preston was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. She had worked in the 5th Police District for three years, Carter said.
Four teens were charged last week with murder, robbery and other charges in relation to Preston’s slaying and a string of robberies and a car theft.
Prosecutors said a 16-year-old and three men — Trevell Breeland, 19; Joseph Brooks; 19 and Jakwon Buchanan, 18 — went on a violent robbery spree before Preston was shot. All are being held without bail.
Preston’s family cried uncontrollably as her casket was brought into the church, with bagpipes playing in tribute.
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoLoved ones and colleagues described Preston as ambitious and effervescent. She’d told people she planned to be the first female police superintendent. She was one interview away from entering the FBI academy, relatives said.
Others warmly remembered Preston’s jokes and affection for loved ones.
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoOfficer Lesley Butler was one of Preston’s closest friends at the 5th District. They called themselves the “fab five,” Butler said.
“We went out to eat, we went out to play, we literally did everything together,” Butler said. “She was a firecracker, she was witty. Even thought she was little, she was big.”
Preston loved traveling when she wasn’t working or hitting the books for her master’s degree, Butler said. Preston and her fellow officers had made plans to go to Houston.
“We’re still gonna go … in her honor,” Butler said. “The last 11 days have been so surreal because we still can’t believe that she’s not here. [I’m] still waking up every day hoping that she’s gonna call us back or answer our text messages or FaceTime us back.”
See more photos from Preston’s funeral:
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoSubscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods.
