2 Chicago Police Officers Killed by Train Chasing Armed Suspect

Two newly appointed Chicago police officers were killed in pursuit of an armed suspect on Dec. 17, hit not by a stray bullet, but a 60 mile-an-hour commuter train.

Eduardo Marmolejo, 37, and Conrad Gary, 31, were investigating a suspected shooting on the city’s Southside—an area once renowned for fearsome violence—after receiving an automatic alert triggered by gunfire sensors.

They followed a suspect after spotting him scrambling up to the Metra tracks but were hit when a commuter train passed through. According to Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, they both died instantly.

“There was no stop at that location so the train was probably going somewhere between 60 and 70 miles per hour,”  Johnson told a news conference.

“By doing the most dangerous thing any police officer can do—and that is to chase an individual with a gun—these brave young men were consumed with identifying a potential threat to their community and put the safety of others above their own,” he said.

Johnson said the death of a fellow officer is never easy.

“Unfortunately, when we swear that oath, put on that uniform, we know that’s a possibility. You don’t look to it, but you always know that possibility,” Johnson said.

Passengers sit on a train while police officers work the scene where two officers were killed after they were struck by a South Shore train in Chicago, on Monday, Dec. 17, 2018. E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune via AP

Both officers had young children. Gary had been on the force for 18 months, Marmolejo for two and a half years.

Chicago police use ShotSpotter technology, that uses sensors to monitor for the sound of gunfire and alert police. Johnson said the two officers went to the scene Monday after a ShotSpotter alert went out.

‘Tragedy After Tragedy’

An investigation has been launched into the incident.

Their deaths are the latest tragedy to rock officers in the district.

“The fifth district has had to deal with tragedy after tragedy this year, including officer suicides,” said Johnson.

“But the resolve of Chicago police officers always amazes me. ... They’re going to strap up, put on their uniforms, and go out tonight to keep this city safe,” he continued.

Last month officer Samuel Jimenez was killed in a shootout after he chased a gunman into a hospital on Chicago’s South Side. The shooter eventually turned the gun on himself, but not before killing two other people, including his ex-fiancée.

In February, Cmdr. Paul Bauer was killed while pursuing a suspect in the Loop business district.

Passengers on the Metra reported long delays to their journeys, as the authorities shut down the train line.

Brianna Medina was one of the passengers on board the train.

“It kind of felt like rocks, and it sounded like it was hitting rocks,” she told the Chicago Tribune.

“We were just sitting there in silence,” Medina said. “About two hours later, someone finally told us what was going on.”

They waited another hour before boarding buses, she told the Tribune.

“Obviously you feel for the families,” Medina said. “Before knowing, I was kind of just upset that I couldn’t go home, but then after finding out you really—you feel sympathetic toward them.”

Messages of support flooded into the Facebook page of the Chicago Police Department. One person simply wrote, “Rest easy officer Eduardo and Conrad Gary. We value your service. Proud of your brave hearts.”