Yet a visit to the home today by retired and current police officers -- dressed as Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their elves, or on hand to help out -- was a reminder that his sacrifice will never be forgotten.
When the officers arrived with coffee mugs and a poinsettia, Wortham's mother, Carolyn, appeared surprised at the turnout of her son's brothers and sisters in blue.
The gifts were part of the second day of "Operation Santa 2010," the fourth event of its kind held by the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, which aids the families of Chicago police officers like Wortham and five others who died violently this year.
Thomas Wortham III, father of slain Officer Thomas Wortham IV, greets Chicago police officers who lined up in front of the family home in Chatham today. Retired and current police officers -- dressed as Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their elves -- showed up with gifts as part of "Operation Santa 2010." (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)
The visits came near the end of a year in which the department's morale was battered by the deaths of six officers -- making 2010 the deadliest year for Chicago cops since 1984 and leaving many residents worried about the outbreak of violence against police.
Phil Cline, a former Chicago police superintendent who heads the memorial foundation, said, "The sheer number of police officers killed in the line of duty this year meant that we wanted to make sure we got each one of those houses, and let those families know that they will not be forgotten."
On Sunday, Wortham's father, Thomas Wortham III, recalled his share of tragedies involving fallen officers in his 30 years as a Chicago police officer.
"Until it happens to you, you have no idea what this means," a teary-eyed Wortham said inside his home surrounded by a number of officers and members of the foundation. "I think this is so fantastic that this organization does this."
Later in the day, a 10-vehicle motorcade made up of Chicago police officers and Illinois State Police troopers visited the homes of families of other officers who were slain or seriously hurt in the line of duty. There, children of those officers were showered with gifts such as board games, Lego sets, toy trucks, Bulls tickets and $250 gift cards.
One of those homes was that of Officer Michael Flisk, an evidence technician who was shot and killed Nov. 26 while he was processing the scene of a burglary in a Southeast Side alley. About a dozen officers from the Morgan Park Police District and several evidence technicians lined up next to one another in front of the Flisks' home in the Beverly neighborhood to receive hugs from Flisk's widow, Nora, and his other family members.
"Thank you. Thank you," a somber Nora Flisk told the officers repeatedly before going back into the home.
The event began Saturday with stops made to the several homes. Among those homes was that of the family of Officer Michael Bailey, who was nearing retirement when he was shot and killed in July outside his Park Manor home as he shined the windows of his new Buick.
Another stop that day was the home of Sgt. Alan Haymaker, who was killed in February when his squad car crashed off of North Lake Shore Drive while he responded to a call of a burglary in progress.
Wearing a green vest with red tights, Officer Eddie Langle joked that being an elf in the gift-giving event could represent a possible career change for him. "You've got to work one month out of the 12," he said.
Nonetheless, Langle acknowledged that the gig for him, although voluntary, is rewarding. "We get more out of it than the kids do. ...The hardest part about wearing the outfit is dealing with all the coppers and their one-liners," he said.
More than 20 years after Officer Bernard Domagala was wounded in the line of duty, he and his family met up with Santa and his crew Sunday morning at a Southwest Side police station to receive their gifts shortly before the motorcade began its journey.
Domagala, a former member of the department's hostage, barricade and terrorist unit, was shot in the head July 14, 1988, when he and other officers surrounded a home in the 7200 block of South Stony Island Avenue. Domagala was wounded by a former police officer who had barricaded himself inside the home after shooting a mover trying to evict him.
Domagala suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of the shooting, said his wife, Denise. Their three children were youngsters when their father was shot.
On Sunday, all grown up, the children were given the gift cards, as their mother and father looked on.
Cline said that starting out the day by commemorating Domagala was an appropriate tribute. "Even 20 years ago, we're still going to remember ... he is a Chicago police hero and his family has made so many sacrifices," he said.
"The support was incredible. We feel like we're the police again," said Denise Domagala. "I can't believe how many (high-ranking police) officials shook his hand. I'm so proud to see Bernie in this environment."
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