The family of Derek Jordan a 42-year-old man killed by a Chicago police officer in, has filed a lawsuit against the city and the officer involved. The legal action, announced by the law firm Romanucci & Blandin alleges that the officer escalated the situation unnecessarily, leading to Jordan’s death.
The incident began when officers spotted Jordan driving a car suspected of being involved in a earlier shooting on the Eisenhower Expressway near Oak Park. Jordan fled the attempted stop, leading to a high-speed chase that ended in an alley near North Homan and West Chicago avenues.
The Fatal Confrontation
According to body camera footage released by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability Officer Max Walzer arrived at the scene with his gun drawn. Despite other officers attempting to de-escalate the situation, Walzer reportedly shouted, “Get out of the f—ing car, I’ll kill you,” before firing six shots into Jordan’s car less than 20 seconds after arriving.
The lawsuit alleges that Walzer’s actions were disproportionate and went against the de-escalation practices employed by other officers on the scene. Antonio Romanucci and Maura White the attorneys representing Jordan’s family, described the footage as illustrating a high-pressure situation that was exacerbated by Walzer’s aggression.
A Mother’s Plea for Justice
Christine Thompkins, Jordan’s mother, spoke at a press conference on August 10, 2026, expressing her grief and demanding justice for her son. “I have a hole in my heart that will be there forever,” she said. “When this person killed my son, he killed me also. I just haven’t laid down yet. Every day I think of my son.”
Thompkins, a nurse, revealed that she has been unable to work since her son’s death. “I am a wreck,” she said. “[Walzer] took my baby. I ask you, how does that person who killed my son sleep at night? How does he eat? How does his family feel. I am not going to back down. I will get justice for Derek. I just want justice to be done. I love you, Derek. Rest in peace, son.”
The Legal Battle Ahead
The lawsuit comes as part of a broader pattern of cases involving excessive force by police officers in Chicago. Romanucci’s firm has previously represented the family of George Floyd and is currently representing the family of Renee Good who was fatally shot by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis.
A spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department declined to comment on the lawsuit, and the city’s law department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for police training and accountability in the city.
