Third Man Convicted In Chicago Officer's 2009 Murder

Kevin Walker convicted of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder

A jury found a Chicago man guilty Wednesday in connection with the 2009 shooting death of Chicago Police officer Alejandro Valadez.

Christopher Harris was convicted on three counts, including first-degree murder.

Harris was one of three men responsible for shooting Valadez as the officer responded to reports of gunshots in a South Side neighborhood.

His co-defendant, Kevin Walker, was convicted earlier in the day of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder following the double jury trial. Walker drove the get-away car.

Shawn Gaston, another defendant in the case, was previously convicted of the murder in 2011 and is serving the maximum 125-year prison sentence.

Valadez and his partner, Tom Vargas, were responding to a call of shots fired at West 60th Street and South Hermitage Avenue when Valadez was struck by bullets in his thigh and behind his left ear.

 "I could feel rounds over the top of my head as I was trying to pull my weapon. I illuminated my flashlight and I saw blood on the ground and immediately I knew he was dead. His eyes were open, but he never responded. He was looking around," Vargas testified.

Detective Tom Byrne said the three men returned to the area with a gun seeking retribution for a previous gang shooting.

"They in turn, instead of calling the police or instead of taking any other action, decided that they were going to go and get their guns and retaliate against anyone who is standing on the block," Byrne said.

"This is not a happy occasion for us, but we are happy that justice has been served," Valadez's sister, Brenda, said after Walker's verdict was read.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us