One year after Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca was shot and killed near his home in Gage Park, loved ones gathered Monday, April 21, at St. Gall Church to honor his life — and the ache he left behind.
Huesca, 30, was remembered as a devoted son, brother, partner, godfather and protector. The memorial came just two days before what would have been his 32nd birthday.
“Luis lives in us,” said Christian Calderón, his longtime partner. “He lives with his nephews and his nieces — and also with my children. He’s my son’s godfather. His presence is still here.”
Huesca died in the early morning hours of April 21, 2024, after finishing his shift at the Chicago Police Department’s 5th District. He was just blocks from home when he was killed.
At St. Gall, 5511 S. Sawyer Ave., candles flickered beside a photo of Huesca and a small arrangement of flowers. Scripture and prayer grounded the service. A priest read from 1 Thessalonians: “We do not want you to be uninformed … so that you may not grieve like the rest … for we believe that Jesus died and rose again.”
He spoke of loss and longing — “the heaviness of our hearts and the sorrow of our souls” — and the hope of reunion.
“This is the type of soul that was just genuine… a devoted police officer, a son, a brother, someone who lived his life with meaning,” the priest said. “He didn’t die alone — he died in the line, protecting those of this community.”
The grief still lingers.
“It does not feel like a year,” said Rim Zechariah, who attended the service with Calderón and his 5-year-old daughter, Michaela. “This week has been so heavy on us. But we don’t want to give more weight to this day. Instead, we want to give our energy to his birthday — doing the things he loved.”
“It’s very heavy, remembering walking back to his home a year ago,” she added. “The same thing, same time. It’s just — he should still be here.”
On what would have been his 32nd birthday, April 23, Calderón and Zechariah planned to celebrate Huesca’s memory in quiet ways: hiking and sharing a slice of carrot cake from Whole Foods — his favorite.
“It’s a tradition,” Calderón said. “Just us, sharing the calories.”
The couple had been together for more than five years.
“He was the first person on my list for anything,” Calderón said. “I don’t think I ever called him and got a voicemail.”
As the evening closed, the priest offered words of comfort:
“He still walks with us. In memory, in spirit, and in love.”
