* Tribune…
A McHenry County sheriff’s officer was shot and critically wounded while serving a warrant at a motel in Rockford Thursday morning, sparking a high-speed chase that ended with a crash south of Bloomington, according to police and law enforcement sources.
Reports from troopers involved in the chase, which reached speeds over 100 mph, said the suspect crashed his car near Lincoln around 11:30 a.m. but refused to leave his car. One report said he was pointing a rifle out the car.
A SWAT team has been called in, and all lanes of I-55 remained shut down as of 1:15 p.m.
* From the Illinois State Police a few minutes ago…
UPDATE. 55 is still closed. We are now directing traffic I 55 north to I 155 north to Route 136 east to I 55. This is the McLean exit on 55.
Be careful driving home if you’re heading north. And if you’re going to the Chicago area, you might wanna consider taking 72 over to 57.
…Adding… The police barricade at about 1 o’clock…
*** UPDATE 1 *** Sorry for coming late to this…
A McHenry County Sheriff’s deputy working on behalf of the U.S. Marshals has died following a shooting Thursday morning in Rockford.
Gov. JB Pritzker tweeted, “The people of Illinois join the family of the fallen officer in mourning his loss, and with our deepest gratitude for his courageous service.”
Illinois State Police in Logan County also confirmed his death around 2:30 p.m. Wedneday.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From ISP at 5:55…
He is in custody.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 1:50 pm:
Wishing the officer a complete recovery. Thank you so much, law enforcement, for risking your lives and health every day. This country is awash in violence and guns. We really, really need to sit together and get a grip on this.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 1:57 pm:
Hope for the best for the copper. Rockford to south of Bloomington is a heckuva long chase.
- DT - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 1:59 pm:
Apparently a Felon with a firearm.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 2:01 pm:
Pretty sure this is the same dude who caused a big crash on Veterans Pkwy in Bloomington before Christmas and got away when he ran away on foot.
http://www.wglt.org/post/police-hunt-suspect-after-burglary-high-speed-crash
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 2:21 pm:
===Apparently a Felon with a firearm===
No possible law could prevent such a thing. Or so I’m told. Because freedom.
- TazewellTazzy - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 2:23 pm:
hisgirlfriday is 100% correct! This same guy has been having issues in Decatur, B-N, Rockford, other places. Sounds like the Rockford attempted arrest needed a bigger posse.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 2:27 pm:
Per WICS, the McHenry Sheriff’s Deputy has passed away.
- New Slang - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 2:42 pm:
He spent time in DOC for felony poss of firearm. He is currently on parole and had an active warrant from 12/31/18 for the incident in Bloomington.
- New Slang - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 2:43 pm:
He’s on parole for residential burglary, the firearm stint.
- RNUG - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 2:43 pm:
Although it wasn’t exactly the case here, my first thought was this kind of scenario could develop when trying to claim firearms from a revoked FOID holder.
- New Slang - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 2:43 pm:
NOT the firearm stint *eyeroll
- Been There - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 2:49 pm:
WGN reported the officer passed away. Sad day.
- Nick Name - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 2:54 pm:
Rest in peace, officer.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 3:16 pm:
The thin blue line gets thinner. God bless this officer.
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 3:18 pm:
My condolences to the Officers family and his Dept.
Career criminals should not be allowed in free society.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 3:21 pm:
Such a terrible tragedy for that officer.
Sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the fallen officer.
- Cubs in '16 - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 3:37 pm:
Now the perp. will face murder charges if law enforcement can take him alive. He will most likely never see the outside of a prison again. The world will be a safer place.
- Roadrager - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 3:46 pm:
There’s been some pushback between agencies on the status of the victim. No one based in Rockford is confirming the deputy has passed. Regardless, an awful situation.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 3:58 pm:
==Now the perp. will face murder charges if law enforcement can take him alive. He will most likely never see the outside of a prison again. The world will be a safer place.==
It would’ve been a safer place had we not as a society felt the need to give him multiple “second chances” over the last twenty years.
- Roadrager - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 4:00 pm:
McHenry County Sheriff’s Police now confirm Deputy Jacob Kellner has passed away.
- BoSox - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 4:11 pm:
Thank you for your service Deputy. Prayers for your family and friends.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 4:20 pm:
Is I-55 South still closed?
- Huh? - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 4:23 pm:
If going northbound on I-55 get off at exit 123 take old 66 through Lincoln and get back on I55 in the northeast corner of Lincoln I think it’s exit 133.
- Fixer - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 4:24 pm:
Anonymous at 420pm, I haven’t seen any updates saying its reopened as of yet.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 4:43 pm:
This has been a horrible week for our public safety folks. A tragic firefighter death and now the death of this brave officer. Sadness doesn’t describe it.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Mar 7, 19 @ 4:51 pm:
Sad reminder of how much we owe to police, military and first responders. Everyday they put their lives on the line for strangers. May God rest his soul.