Former State Trooper Gets 50 Years for Girlfriend's Murder

By SCOTT VIAU (Patch Staff)

A former Illinois State Trooper has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, who he shot and killed at a graduation party in Westchester in 2012, according to the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

Brian Himber, 35, of Chicago, was sentenced during a hearing today at the Cook County Criminal Courthouse in Maywood. Himber was convicted of first degree murder for the shooting death of 29-year-old Joliet resident Tracy Mays in July of 2012.

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According to prosecutors, at the time of the shooting Himber was in a dating relationship with Mays and the couple was attending a graduation party in Westchester. A few hours after arriving at the party, Himber fired a .380 caliber handgun and struck Mays multiple times as she sat on a porch.

The victim was taken to the hospital where she later died of her injuries. After shooting the victim, Himber also shot himself one time in the chin but has since recovered from his injuries.

Himber must serve 100 percent of the 50 year sentence, which was imposed by Judge Gregory Ginex.