Tribute to Officer Areanah M. Preston, Chicago Police Department

Officer Preston was killed in the line of duty

May 8, 2023

Val Ojeda, Writer

Can you imagine being a little girl wanting to do right? You do your studies and graduate high school. You then make your family proud and graduate from college. Furthermore, you have a ticket to join any profession, maybe a doctor, lawyer or become a millionaire. Not only that, but you decide to be a Chicago Police Officer instead. You choose to serve. You see what the worst this world has to offer. You see death on a weekly or even daily basis. Poverty, child molestation, prostitution, domestic violence, the effects of drugs and much worse. Yet, you continue to go to work. In the meantime, you continue your studies, including completing your masters.

This week, Officer Preston was doing just that. She was going to graduate and receive her degree in a few days. But all that was robbed from her in one second. While off-duty an assailant that the Police have yet to arrest attempted to rob her according to a theories that the Police have. The offender shot Officer Preston and left her for dead. This coming from the very person like others that she would arrest every day for being criminals.

Now just think if you were her. When ambushed, you had no chance to defend yourself or have the opportunity to fight and arrest this violent thug? Instead, you were shot. Immediately, you go into shock. You lose balance of your hands, legs, and feet. Everything is cold in your body. You become dizzy because blood is rushing from your head to save your body from your continued blood loss. Your eyes become blurry and you cannot see. Your hands are shaking so bad you cannot use them to use your phone to call for help. Next, you cannot scream for help. No matter what you do, noise refuses to exit your mouth. Worse, if you took a wound to the lungs you would expel blood from your mouth. You swivel your head searching for help.

As you are laying on that cold street, dark and alone, all you can think about is your family. You think about survival. You beg God for a chance to live. Then you think about that graduation ceremony that you might not partake in because of your dying. As your breath fades and you're becoming colder, and you sense that it's time to take a deep rest, you make peace with God. You understand that you will not survive. You weep for your Mother and make any apologies for the wrongs that you may have committed, and then you pass. You visit the other side in the welcoming arms of God who's waiting to receive you, offering no explanations why it happened, instead , you are glad you found peace to be with him.

The Police are called. The first officer to arrive sees this Officer injured and screams on his radio that the Police was shot. He requests help. Officers, Sergeants, and command staff drop what they are doing and all ride out to the scene. There is no time for an ambulance. Though a body could look lifeless, officers will do anything to fight for another officer's survival. Instead, these Officers load the Officer into their squad car and race lights and siren to the nearest hospital. Other squads are shutting down intersections to make room for the unit to make it to the hospital while running code 3 lights and siren at high speed.

They make it to the hospital. Awaiting outside side is a large hospital staff waiting for the Officer. Immediately, they start working on that officer, performing life-saving techniques. Even if they know the officer is gone, they have to at least make an attempt with the now dozens or so officers watching what's happening. They don't want the doctors to give up.

Hours go by. Hundreds of on and off-duty officers and fire personnel are at the hospital to show the flag. To support. Meanwhile, the command staff and clergy visit the family at home to report the incident. Eventually, a doctor reports that nothing more can be done. She's gone. Now these hundreds of officers that are battle hardened from the streets begin to weep. Many are in shock. Many leave for time alone to intake the news of another sister officer killed in the line of duty.

The family is in shock. They are weeping. They cannot believe this is happening….but it is. Yet, deep down they are not accepting her death but her call to service. Without them wanting this to happen, they knew it could. Now this proud Officer is no longer here to hear her laugh or talk anymore. To see her pretty face and bright eyes. To hear her stories of serving the community and saving lives. They know now that she will never experience growing old. To retire from the Police Department. To even see her grandchildren that have ever yet to be born.

Now she is with God. She is in peace, and now her job is to protect her family and friends from heaven. Always the protector!

I hope those that hate the Police can read this. It takes a special person to suffer like Officer Preston and the thousands of Police Officers before her that died before her nationwide. How can you hate these warriors that stand between you and ones that want to do you harm? After all, when something happens don't they all call the Police?

Thank you Officer Arenah Preston for your selfless sacrifice you made to the citizens of Chicago, Illinois and this great nation. You will never be forgotten, sister. Also, a special thank you to the brave Officers of the Chicago Police Department. Please pray for them all.

Thank you!

©️Val Ojeda is a Republican Author, Media Personality, Strategist and Consultant. Ojeda manages federal political campaigns also serving as President Trump's Hispanic Coalition Leader. Ojeda is also a businessman, entrepreneur and the founder of FAMA a 501c3 Chamber of Commerce. Ojeda served as law enforcement Veteran Officer/Detective