Fallen Chicago Police Officer Struck By ‘Friendly Fire’

CHICAGO — A Chicago police officer who was killed Thursday evening, pursuing an armed suspect into an apartment building in Chatham, was struck in the back by another officer at the scene, police said in a statement.

Around 9:50 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Drexel Avenue, police said that Officer Krystal Rivera and another office assigned to the 6th (Gresham) District Tactical Team spotted a male suspect who they believed to be armed. The man fled into a building when the officers encountered a second suspect, who aimed a rifle at the officers. During a confrontation, Rivera’s partner discharged their weapon. Both suspects fled from the building but were apprehended shortly after.

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The Cook County Medical Examiner determined that the 36-year-old police officer died from a gunshot wound to the back. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Chicago police said in an updated statement that further investigation determined that “the only weapon discharged during the encounter was the officer, whose gunfire unintentionally struck Rivera.”

The investigation into the aggravated assault of the police officers by the suspect who they say pointed the rifle. The suspect remains in custody. Detectives also continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the investigative stop preceding the encounter.

In addition to the two suspects, officers also took into custody several persons of interest, including someone police believe was present when the fatal encounter unfolded. No charges have been announced.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling described Rivera, the mother of a young daughter who was to celebrate her 11th birthday on Saturday, as “young, vibrant and a hard worker.” Earlier in her shift Thursday, she had taken two weapons off the street.

Her daughter spoke to the Chicago Sun-Times. "When she said bye, it’s like she had a feeling," she said. “She gave me the biggest hug, biggest kiss and she said, ‘If anything happens, I’m always right here,’ in my heart."

“She was a young officer with four years on the job,” Snelling said during an overnight news conference. “She was working extremely hard in the 6th District to get guns off the street to save lives.”

Police asked the city to continue to pray for the fallen officer’s family “during this heartbreaking time.”

"We also ask that the people of Chicago pray for Officer Rivera's partner as he faces the loss of his fellow CPD family member. Though her loss weighs heavy on our department, we will continue to do all we can to protect our city in memory of Officer Rivera and her sacrifice."