Man Sentenced to 55 Years for Murder of Chicago Police Officer

Joseph Brooks pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the 2023 killing of Officer Aréanah Preston.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:23pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a police badge or other law enforcement equipment, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The harsh flash and dramatic lighting of this close-up image evoke the somber gravity of a police officer's murder and the pursuit of justice.Chicago Today

Cook County prosecutors announced that Joseph Brooks, 22, has been sentenced to 55 years in prison after pleading guilty to the first-degree murder of Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston in 2023. Brooks was one of four people charged in the killing, which occurred as Preston was returning home from her shift.

Why it matters

The murder of a police officer in the line of duty is a tragic event that shakes the entire community. This case highlights the dangers that law enforcement face and the need for accountability when such crimes occur.

The details

Prosecutors alleged that Brooks and three other teens, Trevell Breeland, Jakwon Buchanan, and Jaylan Frazier, had carried out a robbery spree before attempting to rob Preston outside her home. Surveillance video showed a stolen Kia circling the block before three people exited the vehicle and ran toward Preston, who was still in her police uniform. After the shooting, the four suspects allegedly burned the vehicle and fled to an apartment, where they were later arrested following a SWAT standoff.

  • The incident occurred in the early morning hours of May 6, 2023.
  • On Thursday, April 2, 2026, Cook County prosecutors announced Brooks' guilty plea and 55-year sentence.

The players

Joseph Brooks

A 22-year-old man who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 55 years in prison for the 2023 killing of Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston.

Trevell Breeland

One of the four people charged in the killing of Officer Preston, with charges still pending.

Jakwon Buchanan

One of the four people charged in the killing of Officer Preston, with charges still pending.

Jaylan Frazier

One of the four people charged in the killing of Officer Preston, with charges still pending.

Aréanah Preston

A Chicago Police Officer who was killed in 2023 as she returned home from her shift.

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What they’re saying

“We will always feel the loss of this remarkable young woman. I hope this conviction brings a measure of accountability and some comfort to Aréanah's family, her friends, and her colleagues in the Chicago Police Department. We will continue seeking justice in the co-defendant cases that are pending.”

— Eileen O'Neill Burke, Cook County State's Attorney

What’s next

Charges remain pending against Trevell Breeland, Jakwon Buchanan and Jaylan Frazier, the three other individuals charged in the murder of Officer Aréanah Preston.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the risks that law enforcement officers face in the line of duty and the need for the justice system to hold perpetrators accountable for crimes against public servants who are sworn to protect their communities.