FOX LAKE, Ill. -- A police officer has died after being shot about 60 miles north of Chicago on Tuesday.
The officer's gun and pepper spray were taken during an altercation, according to police. Just before they lost radio contact with the officer, he told dispatchers he was in a foot pursuit, according to Chris Covelli from the Lake County Sheriff's Department.
Initial information indicated officers were searching for two suspects, a white male and a black male, in connection with the shooting. At a news conference Tuesday, police later said they were searching for two white men and one black man.
A large perimeter was set up and multiple helicopters and K9s units were searching the area near Rollins Road between Washington Avenue and Route 59. There were reports of roadway checkpoints set up by police, as well as door-to-door searches in the area.
All schools in the area are on lockdown, students were dismissed an hour late, and residents in the area were told to stay inside their homes.
U.S Marshal officials and agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, joined the search for the suspects. Illinois State Police sent SWAT, air operations and other investigators to the area to help with the search.
Investigators did not confirm late-afternoon rumors that said one of the suspects had been apprehended.
The officer who died was identified as Joseph Gliniewicz, a 32-year veteran of the police force, who was also married and the father of four. Gliniewicz was supposed to retire last month, according to WGN, but the police chief -- who stepped down -- asked him to stay on for one more month. Gliniewicz was involved in several youth programs in the area.
Many Fox Lake residents knew Gliniewicz as "GI Joe," said Village of Fox Lake Mayor Donny Schmit.
"Our community is having a very difficult time," Schmit said, as he referred to Gliniewicz as a "dear friend."
"We lost a family member today," Schmit said.
