A Chicago police officer who was killed on her front porch by four teenagers as she returned home from work has been laid to rest.
Areanah Preston, 24, was gunned down in front of her home on 81st Street and Blackstone Avenue on May 6 following a night shift.
Family, friends and colleagues said their final goodbyes to her during a moving funeral at Trinity United Church of Christ on Wednesday.
Her mother Dionne Mhoon was in tears throughout the service and revealed a heartbreaking letter to her daughter in the funeral program.
Joseph Brooks, 18, Jakwon Buchanan, 18, Trevell Breeland, 19, and Jaylan Frazier, 16, were all charged as adults with first-degree murder.
Chicago police officer Areanah Preston, 24, who was killed on her front porch by four teenagers as she returned home from work has been laid to rest
Her mother Dionne Mhoon (center) was in tears throughout the funeral service
Areanah’s former Commander Tyrone Pendarvis, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Mayor Brandon Johnson and her fellow officers honored her during the funeral
Dionne paid tribute to her daughter and shared an emotional letter with her in the funeral program in which she wrote: ‘This child of mine was special!’
‘As a mother, I always wished for a better life for you and your sisters than I had.
‘In your short 24 years, you surpassed any mother’s dreams. You did everything you set out to do from schooling, to making major moves in your career path.
‘You set the bar high! I am eternally grateful and thankful that God placed me in your life as your mother. You had a purpose driven life that I will continue, I PROMISE!!
‘We had so many plans together as a family- the trips, the graduation, the graduation party and just being with you.
‘You were so fashionable and full of life! You always had everything mapped out, well organized from your calendar planning to your daily affirmations.
‘The pressure of the world sits upon my shoulder and these tears feel like they are drowning my soul and faith.
‘I’m missing the sound of my sweet baby’s voice saying “I love you Ma. I’m safe don’t worry”, your soft lips kissing mine and me listening to your plans and dreams.’
She also described Areanah as a ‘kid full of life, dreams, big goals and wanted to make major changes.’
Dionne said: ‘In this tragic situation, my family and I feel triumph,’ she said. ‘We feel grace. We feel the love. We feel the hugs. And most importantly, we feel God’s presence over us.
Family, friends and colleagues said their final goodbyes to Areanah Preston during a moving funeral at Trinity United Church of Christ on Wednesday
Areanah’s friends and relatives cried as her hearse arrivedat
Her colleagues paid tribute to her throughout the funeral service
Eric Carter, who retired as Chicago’s interim superintendent on Monday, described her as ‘sincere, thoughtful, witty, well-organized and goal-oriented and outgoing, and definitely a ray of sunshine’
‘There is a presence of Areanah’s presence saying, keep going, momma. You always wanted to be like me.’
Dionne added: ‘Confident, determined, brave, smart, outgoing, beautiful, witty, loyal, generous, genuine, quaint, attentive, funny, giving, youthful, fashionable, unforgettable, and the ray of light.’
‘A few words to describe my baby, yet there will never be enough to define just how much of a sunflower Areanah Makayla Preston truly was to us as parents and family, and now the world.
‘I was determined to invest in her so that, in return, she invested in the world, and Areanah did just that. She did more than I could even imagine.
‘When people say you did an awesome job as a mother, that speaks volumes to me. It is so heartwarming to see just the impact she had on the city of Chicago and beyond.’
She said she plans to ‘lead, love and be just like you — brave and bold with a warm spirit and a contagious smile.’
‘Death is only a tragic thing if you have not lived. My baby lived,’ Dionne said to a round of applause.
‘I am because of her. I pray for peace in homes. I pray for peace in our communities, and I pray for peace in my heart.
‘Rest peacefully, my sweet baby. Momma has it from here.’
Areanah’s former Commander Tyrone Pendarvis, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Mayor Brandon Johnson and her fellow officers honored her during the funeral.
Eric Carter, who retired as Chicago’s interim superintendent on Monday, described her as ‘sincere, thoughtful, witty, well-organized and goal-oriented and outgoing, and definitely a ray of sunshine.’
He said: ‘She brightened every room she walked into and put a smile on everyone’s face.
‘Her presence was unmistakable, and she was unforgivable. Areanah was a daughter of Chicago, born and raised right here in this city.’
A group of Areanah’s fellow 5th District officers recalled how she jokingly called them ‘her aunties,’ and how they lovingly called her ‘little baby’
Areanah’s passion for public safety and public service came from her criminal justice degree which she completed at Illinois State University
She had worked at the Chicago Police Department for three years before her death
The Fraternal Order of Police, the officer’s union, stated online that she was killed while defending herself against armed robbers
Four people, two males and two females, were arrested over the fatal shooting. They were taken into custody after a SWAT standoff on Sunday night
Carter highlighted the fact that Areanah and his daughter were both cheerleaders at UIC College Prep, where his wife was their assistant coach.
She was the team’s ‘flyer’ and often performed ‘terrific, terrifying’ stunts and positioned herself on the top of the pyramid.
Her passion for public safety and public service came from her criminal justice degree which she completed at Illinois State University.
‘She wanted to be a voice for the voiceless,’ Carter said. ‘But when Areanah told her mother Dionne about her plans to become a Chicago police officer, she was definitely concerned — and understandably so.’
Areanah’s mother accepted a posthumous master’s degree in jurisprudence on her behalf from Loyola University of Chicago over the weekend.
She had her sights set on joining the FBI, according to Carter. He said: ‘Her application got accepted and she was just waiting on her final interview when this tragic incident happened.
Joseph Brooks, 18, was one of the teenagers arrested and charged with the murder of the 24-year-old police officer in Chicago last weekend
All four of the suspects have previously been convicted of robbery charges, and were allegedly carrying out a robbery spree before encountering Officer Preston
‘Areanah always knew she could make a difference, and that she would make a difference.’
And Mayor Johnson said she ‘knew that laying her life down even for those who do not always value life … is the exemplary example of righteousness.’
He said: ‘Areanah devoted her life to the very principles of justice and peace. And Areanah obviously walked uprightly in her life, and so now she gets to rest in that peace.’
He added the city ‘has so much to do to restore hope and promise’ but said her life ‘teaches us the importance of doing the right thing, especially when it’s hard.’
Mayor Johnson said: ‘Though her watch has ended, her dedication to justice and her commitment to serving this city will live forever.
‘God thank you for the gift of Areanah. God thank you for the gift of life.’