The Chicago community is mourning the loss of one of its trailblazing law enforcement officers, Malcolm Woo, who passed away on July 8 due to heart complications at the age of 79. As one of the first Chinese Americans to don the Chicago police uniform in 1969, Woo's career spanned nearly three decades and set a precedent for diversity within the force. According to a report by the Chicago Sun-Times, Woo began his service as a beat cop in predominantly Black neighborhoods and later took up undercover assignments, utilizing his unique appearance that transcended ethnic identification.
Remembering him as a figure who could easily blend into various cultural backgrounds, his wife Tina Woo reminisced about old photographs of his undercover days, saying, "He had long hair, a mustache, a beard, so you don't know if he was Chinese, Mexican, Middle Eastern," as stated by the Chicago Sun-Times. Relatives and friends describe Woo as a dedicated family man and a passionate police officer who missed numerous holidays throughout his duty. In his retirement, Woo continued to be an active member of the community, including the Chicago Gearheads car club, and participating in philanthropic activities such as providing meals during the pandemic.
Woo's legacy is also cemented in his efforts to establish and grow the Asian American Law Enforcement Association (AALEA), which he co-founded to foster community engagement and support Asian inclusion in law enforcement. Henry Lai, the current president of AALEA, characterized Woo as a pillar of support and mentorship, recalling how he encouraged members to "stick with each other and not be intimidated, and not give up," the Chicago Sun-Times interviewed. The organization now boasts over 600 members from various law enforcement branches, reflecting the diversity Woo strived to enhance during his time on the force.
"Malcolm had a distinguished career with the Chicago Police Department, being the first Chinese American officer to retire after nearly 30 years of service. He was a founding member of the Asian American Law Enforcement Association (AALEA), promoting diversity and inclusion in law enforcement," as noted by Chinese American Museum of Chicago.
