Two Chicago Police Officers Pursuing Gunman Killed by South Shore Train
(Chicago, Illinois – December 17, 2018)
Two south side Chicago police officers who were pursuing a lone suspect believed to have a gun, died when they were struck by an Indiana-bound South Shore (Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District) passenger train. According to reports, the suspect entered easily-accessible railroad property and the two police officer victims followed about 6:20 PM, CST Monday night. The train was operating on the tracks of Chicago Metra (NE Illinois Regional Commuter Rail).
Chicago Police Officers Eduardo Marmolejo, 36, and Conrad Gary, 31, were the two victims of this tragedy. They were both veteran CPD officers. The suspect, who was not injured, was apprehended by other police officers at the scene, near 103rd Street. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said at a news conference that both officers were fathers of young children.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, as many as 66 trains of several rail companies utilize the triple-track Metra Electric District line corridor daily at speeds as high as 60 mph.
“These brave young men were consumed with identifying a potential threat,” said Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson.
As horrified passengers looked upon the tragic scene from the windows of the stopped commuter trains, dozens of onlookers flooded the area to see for themselves what the obviously intense police presence was all about. The stranded rail passengers were finally picked up and carried to their destinations by CTA buses more than 2 ½ hours later.
