Off-Duty Oak Park Police Officer Shot in Chicago

After he was struck, the officer fired back at one of the suspects, who was also injured

An off-duty suburban police officer was shot Sunday morning on Chicago’s Far South Side.

The Oak Park officer, identified by his family as Johnny Patterson, of Chicago, was exiting his personal vehicle when he was approached by two males in the 300 block of West 103rd Place at 5:13 a.m., police said.

One of the two males fired numerous shots at Patterson, striking the 58-year-old in the arm and leg, police said. The officer was able to return fire and made contact with one of the suspects.

Both suspects then fled.

The off-duty officer was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he is in serious condition.

A few minutes later, responding Chicago officers located two “males of interest” in the 9900 block of South Princeton, police said. One of them had a recent gunshot wound and was also taken to Christ in serious condition.

Patterson's family believes the suspects were attempting to rob Patterson when they shot him.

His grandson told NBC Chicago he ran outside to see what had happened when he heard the shots. 

The officer had been leaving for work at 5 a.m. to work his 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. shift, his family said. He was wearing uniform pants with a belt holding a gun but just a regular t-shirt, according to his family.

No one has been charged.

Copyright CHIST - SunTimes
Contact Us