Police Officer Recovering from Gunshot to the Head [Update]

Officer Tim Jones

NBC Chicago has identified the officer as Tim Jones, according to the mayor, who says he comes from a family of police officers. Jones has been with the department for one year.

The officer was wounded while exchanging gunfire with a man he encountered in the 300 block of Neola Street while responding to a report of breaking glass at 5:40 a.m. The gunman is dead.

The suspect was identified as Thurman Reynolds, 21, of Park Forest. The firearm used by Reynolds and recovered at the scene and was found to have been reported stolen out of Texas, police said. Reynolds also was carrying a second firearm.

Police found a stolen car on the property, set up a perimeter, and encountered a man leaving the house, which was supposed to be vacant.

Police said when officers attempted to detain the main, he displayed a handgun and began firing at officers. The officers returned fire and killed the man.

Park Forest Police posted this on Facebook at 10 a.m. on Sunday to update community members:

We appreciate the continued concern for Officer Jones. He remains in critical but stable condition this morning, and he is in excellent medical hands. A Park Forest Police Officer is with him and his family 24 hours a day. That's the thing about this job: When tragedy strikes, it's not just a job, it's family.

We are overwhelmed by the show of support from citizens far and wide and from law enforcement agencies across the country. Unfortunately, far too many police departments understand what we are going through. Thank you for your many kind words. While we cannot respond to or acknowledge every post, we do read and appreciate them.

The officer-involved shooting is being investigated by the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force.

This is a developing report; return to this page for updates.

photos: Park Forest Police Instagram and Facebook pages