Officer Shot By Unknown Shooter; Uninjured Due To Ballistic Vest

ROCKFORD, IL — A Rockford police officer was shot in the side early Thursday morning but was unharmed due to his ballistic vest, a police spokesperson said. Officials are still trying to find the shooter.

According to authorities, officers were in the area of South Third and Pope streets at around 1 a.m. when they heard a gunshot that sounded close. After the noise, an officer felt a "sharp pain" in his side, a statement said. It was later discovered a bullet passed through the left door of one of the police vehicles and bounced off the officer's bullet-resistant vest.

The bullet was found on the floor of the police car.

The office's name has not been released, but a police spokesperson told Patch he is a four-year veteran of the department. The officer was evaluated at a local hospital as a precaution.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about the incident to call the Rockford Police Department at 815-966-2900 or leave an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 815-963-7867.