Tragedy in the Windy City
More tragic news in the law enforcement community. This time in Chicago as another Chicago Police Officer is Killed, the 3rd officer killed in 2 Months. Twenty-year Chicago police veteran Michael Bailey (EOW: Sunday, July 18, 2010) was shot and killed outside his home early Sunday morning, just one month before turning 63, the mandatory retirement age for Chicago police.
Officer Bailey had just returned home from a mayoral protection detail, and was still in uniform, when as many as three male subjects approached and attempted to rob him of his new vehicle, which he bought himself as an early retirement gift.
He identified himself and exchanged shots with the suspects, who all fled the scene and remain at large. Police say as many as three suspects opened fire on the officer during the altercation. Officer Bailey is survived by his wife, son and two daughters.
Chicago's Other Fallen Heroes
Officer Bailey is the third Chicago officer killed in the line of duty in the past two months. The other two officers are:
+ Police Officer Thor Soderberg, 43
EOW: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 - Cause of Death: Gunfire
Officer Soderberg was killed with his own weapon on July 7 outside a police building on the south side. Officer Soderberg was returning to his vehicle at the end of his shift when he struggled with a male subject who approached from behind and was able to gain control of his service weapon, fatally shooting him in the face, head and back.
The suspect was later seriously wounded in a shootout with police and has been charged with murder. Officer Soderberg is survived by his wife, four siblings and parents.
+ Police Officer Thomas Wortham IV, 30
EOW: Thursday, May 20, 2010 - Cause of Death: Gunfire
Officer Wortham was shot and killed on May 19 after identifying himself as a police officer when four subjects attempted to rob him while he was outside his parents' house. Officer Wortham drew his service weapon and fired at the suspects, but was fatally shot in the abdomen.
His father, a retired Chicago police sergeant, witnessed the shooting and exchanged shots with the suspects. One was killed, another was seriously wounded while the two remaining males fled in a vehicle. All three suspects have been charged with first-degree murder. Officer Wortham is survived by his sister and parents.
Chicago Police By the Numbers
- There are 13, 400 Sworn Officers in the Department (as of 2008)
- Since it's formation in 1855, there have bee 511 police officers killed in the line of duty.
- The three most common causes of line of duty deaths are: Gunfire (374); Automobile/Motorcycle Accidents (38); Vehicular Assault/Struck by Vehicle (18).
- 1931 was the deadliest year for the Chicago Police Department with 16 officers killed in the line of duty.
- Chicago Police Department Official Website
- Chicago Police Department Wikipedia Page
- ChicagoCop.com
- ODMP (Officer Down Memorial Page)
- 'No one knows the pain' of slain police officers' families
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-Ruben Flores
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