Interim Supt. Eddie Johnson Still Affected By Murder Of Officer Thomas Wortham IV

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The parents of Chicago Police Officer Thomas Wortham IV forged a friendship with the now Interim Superintendent Eddie Johnson after the officer was killed in 2010.

CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports the crime still affects Johnson today.

Strolling through the playground named in their son's honor, Carolyn and Thomas Wortham III offer insight into Eddie Johnson, the man tapped to become Chicago's new police superintendent.

"I think he's fair," Carolyn said.

The Worthams came to know the interim superintendent six years ago, after their son, Thomas Wortham IV, was gunned down in front of their Chatham home in an attempted robbery. The younger Wortham was a Chicago Police officer, his father, a retired cop. Johnson was the Sixth District commander at the time.

"My lowest moment might have been when Officer Wortham was killed," he said.

Johnson reflected today.

"I spent about a month straight with them every day, trying to help them get past it," he said. "So that hurt every member of the police department."

But the outpouring of support from Johnson and district officers helped the Worthams.

"He reached out not only to us, to our family, but he reached out to the community," Carolyn said.

"It's nice to know that he's that sensitive and he doesn't forget," Thomas said.

Wortham believes Johnson's 27 years in the department will help him lead.

"The community respects him and the police respect him so he has respect of both sides," he said.

Confidence the interim superintendent doesn't take lightly.

"When people ask me and say to me you seem like you really care, that's because I really do," Johnson said.

Superintendent Johnson recognizes department morale is low and its reputation battered. He wants to change that.

Johnson also says there is a difference between an honest mistake and blatant misconduct. He says mistakes deserve support, misconduct won't be tolerated.