Cop Killer Mocks Widow as She Describes Depth of Her Loss

The man convicted of murdering Chicago Police Officer Thor Soderberg was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison plus 115 years — but not before he mocked the widow’s tears.

Soderberg was shot with his own gun — twice in the head — by Bryant Brewer on July 7, 2010, outside of the police station in Englewood on the South Side. Soderberg was by his car and getting ready for a volleyball game after his shift, and Brewer was on the street on a rampage. Brewer attacked Soderberg, wrestled away his weapon and shot him in the back and in the head. He also shot three times at Officer Lynne Casey, who came upon the scene after Brewer shot Soderberg.

At his sentencing, Soderberg’s family spoke of their loss and the 43-year-old officer’s character and compassion.

Reports DNAInfo Chicago:

His sister Diane Sainsot took the stand Wednesday and shared a story about how the veteran officer was once called to a store robbery where he found a young boy who had stolen a belt.

The boy told Officer Soderberg that other kids were mocking him because his pants always fell down, which is why he needed a belt, Sainsot said.

Soderberg then bought the belt for the boy and asked the store owner not to press charges. The boy promised to never steal again, according to Sainsot.

He didn’t want the boy to start his life with a criminal record, Sainsot testified.

His widow, Jennifer Loudon, to whom he was married for five years, offered tearful testimony of her own. At one point, Judge Timothy Joyce handed her a tissue, according to a DNAInfo report.

“I lost my future,” she said, a future that would have included foster parenting and travel abroad. “I had no idea it was possible to lose so much in a single lifetime, much less in a single moment.”

Brewer, found guilty of first-degree murder and other felonies, claimed at trial that he was mentally ill. He was found guilty on Aug. 4.

He watched Sainsot and Loudon testify, and his shocking behavior was evidence of what the judge called a “malignant heart.” As Loudon cried, Brewer put his hands to his eyes and mocked her. Then he laughed.

“The fact that he acts in an abhorrent manner is not evidence that he’s mentally ill,” Judge Joyce said, according to a Chicago Tribune report. “It is striking that he acts that way only when it suits his purpose.”

Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Sexton asked Brewer if he was proud of being a cop killer, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

“Hell, yeah. I’m proud. I’m proud because you want me to be proud,” Brewer replied.

In meting out justice, the judge offered these words to the officers and family in the courtroom: “He will never experience a free day in his life.”

» VISIT the Officer Thor Soderberg Memorial Page