Nearly 70 Shots Fired In Slaying Of Off-Duty Sheriff's Deputy

CHICAGO — A convicted felon is charged in the shooting death of an off-duty Cook County correctional officer early Tuesday morning during a robbery attempt at a South Side gas station, Chicago police said during a news conference.

Cordarrow Thompson, 32, of Chicago, appeared Thursday before a Cook County judge on charges of first-degree murder and six other felonies, including attempted robbery, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery. Thompson was ordered detained during a pre-trial hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building.

Officials allege that Thompson fired at least 69 bullets that fatally wounded the Cook County Sheriff’s Deputy Rafael Wordlaw, 31, in an exchange of gunfire during the attempted robbery. Wordlaw’s friend also suffered graze wounds. The incident is said to have been captured on multiple surveillance cameras in the area.

“This was an individual who dedicated his life to public service,” Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling said at a news conference to announce the charges. “There are people across the city who are dealing with the same type of losses. It’s senseless and it’s got to stop.”

Cordarrow Thompson, 32 | Cook County Sheriff

Around 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, Wordlaw and his friend were driving home in separate vehicles from a party when they stopped at a gas station in the 500 block of East 67th Street.

The friend got out of his car to use the gas pump while Wordlaw remained in his car near the pumps. As his friend was pumping gas, he spoke to Wordlaw through his rolled-down window.

At that time, a dark SUV appeared on camera driving from 67th Street in front of Wordlaw and his friend’s vehicles. A person, later identified as Thompson, walked onto the gas station lot in front Wordlaw’s vehicle, the prosecutor said during the detention hearing.

According to the complaint, Thompson produced two handguns, one with a switch that allowed the firing of extra rounds with a single pull of the trigger. Holding a gun in each hand, the prosecutor said Thompson called out in the direction of Wordlaw’s friend. Thompson allegedly ordered the friend not to move and to give him everything in his pockets.

Wordlaw partially opened the driver’s door of his vehicle and stepped out. The prosecutor said the off-duty correctional officer shot in Thompson’s direction, and is believed to have shot Thompson in the leg. As Thompson began firing both guns, the prosecutor said Wordlaw’s friend took cover behind the officer’s vehicle.

Thompson began walking backward toward where his car was parked after shooting Wordlaw, officials said. The friend got into his vehicle and drove off. Thompson fle with an apparent leg wound, the prosecutor said.

Wordlaw was also able to drive off initially, but crashed three blocks away. Meanwhile, Chicago police responded to multiple ShotSpotter alerts and 911 calls, including one from Wordlaw’s friend, who suffered graze wounds to his ankle and face.

Chicago police found Wordlaw’s vehicle a short time later. The officer was found in the front seat of his vehicle with a single gunshot wound to his chest. Wordlaw was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injury.

The prosecutor said Wordlaw’s 9mm Glock was also found on the floorboard with an extended magazine inserted. Police recovered a total of 70 spent shell casings from the ground at the gas station.

Around 2:15 a.m., the prosecutor said Thompson showed up at Insight Hospital in Bronzeville for treatment of a gunshot wound to his thigh, where the prosecutor said he gave hospital staff false information.

When police arrived, the prosecutor Thompson grew uncooperative with medical staff. Thompson is then said to have ordered a Lyft ride, using the account name “Cordarrow.” The driver picked him up at 2:45 a.m. and dropped him off at 18th Street and Michigan Avenue at 2:50 a.m., the prosecutor said.

Thompson ordered another Lyft ride, which drove him to Northwestern Hospital at 3:46 a.m., the prosecutor said. Chicago police came to the hospital, where Thompson was taken into custody.

Wordlaw grew up in Englewood and graduated at the top of his class from Urban Prep before attending Indiana State University, family members told WGN. He then came home to work as a corrections officer at the Cook County Jail, where he worked for almost five years. He would have turned 32 on Aug. 10.

“How in God’s name do we have someone firing off 69 rounds?” Dart asked. “We have to do much better.”

Prosecutors said Thompson has three prior gun-related felony convictions, each resulting in multiyear prison sentences. Thompson was discharged from mandatory supervised release in January 2024, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Thompson is due back in court Aug. 20 at the Leighton Criminal Courts Building.