# A 911 dispatcher was killed on her way through Back of the Yards

> Natalia Rodriguez spent a decade answering Chicago's worst moments, then was shot while driving home through the South Side.
- Title: A 911 dispatcher was killed on her way through Back of the…
- Summary: Natalia Rodriguez spent a decade answering Chicago's worst moments, then was shot while driving home through the South Side. A $10,000 anonymous-tip reward…
- Keywords: chicago, crime, public safety, 911 dispatch, back of the yards, news, local, 911, dispatcher, killed, way, through
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/09/11/woman-fatally-shot-while-driving-crashes-in-back-of-the-yards
- Published: 2026-09-11T19:45:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: chicago, crime, public safety, 911 dispatch, back of the yards, news, local
## Shot while driving
Natalia Rodriguez, 50, was driving in the 4500 block of South Wood Street early Friday when gunfire struck her multiple times.
## The car kept going
Hit by the shots, she lost control and crashed into a parked SUV in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on the South Side.
## She died at Stroger
Paramedics took Rodriguez to Stroger Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, Chicago police said.
## She worked the 911 lines
Rodriguez was a dispatcher and call taker for Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications, the agency that answers the city's 911 calls.
## Ten years on the job
She had served OEMC for a decade, long enough that the department described her as a close colleague and friend to many across those years.

> Throughout her decade of service to this department, Natalia was a close colleague and friend to many.
## OEMC calls it a loss
Mary May of OEMC called Rodriguez a hard worker and a dedicated call taker, and sent the department's condolences to her family.

> Natalia's passing is a terrible loss to her family and to OEMC.
## Her work stands
The agency said her contributions to 911 operations and to the city would not be forgotten.

> Her contributions to 9-1-1 Operations and the City of Chicago will not be forgotten.
## A $10,000 reward
Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering $10,000 in cash for information that leads to an arrest in the shooting.
## Tragic and disturbing
Crime Stoppers spokesperson Paul Rutherford said the killing was especially hard because Rodriguez had spent her career serving Chicagoans.

> This is an especially tragic and disturbing homicide involving a woman who dedicated herself to serving the people of Chicago.
## She helped in the worst moments
Rutherford pointed to the grim symmetry: her job was to help people in crisis, and now her family, friends and coworkers are the ones grieving.

> Natalia Rodriguez's job was to help others in their most critical moments.
## Tips stay anonymous
No name is required. Tipsters get a code number instead, which they can later use to claim an approved reward.
## How to call it in
Reach the Cook County Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-800-535-STOP (7867) or submit online at CPDTIP.com.

> Someone knows what happened. Make the call. Submit the tip. Remain anonymous.
## Key takeaway

A $10,000 anonymous-tip reward is open for information on who shot Natalia Rodriguez in the 4500 block of South Wood Street.