Chicago Police Captain Unconscious In Squad Car Dies; 'Part Of Chicago Was Lost,' Top Cop Says

CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago police captain died Sunday after he was found dead in his squad car on the Bishop Ford Freeway on the Far South Side, according to police. Capt. James Lavoy, 50, is believed to have died from natural causes and "passed away peacefully," an emotional Supt. Eddie Johnson said at a press conference Sunday. There were no signs of foul play, and Lavoy did not appear to have been attacked or in distress when he died, Johnson added.

"He was a good man, and I'd just tell people to focus on not the way he died but the way he lived," Johnson while talking about Lavoy's qualities that made him an exemplary officer for the Chicago Police Department.

"Part of Chicago was lost last night, but a much greater part will live on because of [Lavoy's] service to our city," he added. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for the South Side and Chicago — or other neighborhoods. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Lavoy was found by police just before midnight Saturday near the Stony Island ramp on the Bishop Ford, police said. He was taken to Trinity Hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 1 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 13.

A married father of two, Lavoy had been on the force for more than 25 years and had earned 65 awards, commendations, ribbons and honorable mentions in that time, according to Johnson. He also had been instrumental in the department's Crisis Intervention Training program, as well as helping instructors at the CPD academy develop curriculum, added Johnson, who said that he and others who knew Lavoy "were inspired to be around him."

"Jimmy was the type of role model and leader who valued public service, valued community and had attributes many officers look up to and strive to achieve," he said.

WATCH: Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson talks about the death of Capt. James Lavoy during a press conference Sunday:

Johnson, who paused at different times during to the press conference to compose himself, said the greatest tragedy of Lavoy's death was that the captain wouldn't be able to experience some of the positive things on the horizon for the CPD officer.

"What really bothers me is that there were bigger and better things coming for him that he'll never know," he said.

Johnson was joined by other Chicago police officers at Sunday's press conference, and the department offered its condolenses to Lavoy's family. The police superintendent also said that the department will continue to stand by Lavoy's wife and children after this sudden loss.

"When you lose someone unexpectedly, it's a shock," he said. "His wife was very distraught and heartbroken. All I could think about was ... what do you say? All you can do is be there for her."

Photo via Patch archive

Like What You're Reading? Stay Patched In!

• Like our Crime page on Facebook
• Check out the Events Calendar for what’s going on