Illinois state soldier killed by police car on highway investigated

Illinois State Police opened an investigation into the death of a soldier found gunned down on a Chicago freeway on Friday.

Gerald Mason, 35, was found in his patrol car with a single gunshot wound at 1:42 p.m. on local lanes northbound from Interstate 94 to 43rd Street, State Police said. Illinois.

Citizens on the freeway, Chicago police and FAI soldiers arrived at the scene.

Mason was rushed to the University of Chicago hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries. He succumbed to his injuries at 2:16 p.m.

“It is with deep sorrow and unfathomable sadness that we report the passing of Private Gerald Mason. The Trooper Mason was one of many fearless Troopers assigned to the FAI District of Chicago. We ask the public to respectfully consider Trooper Mason’s family and the entire ISP family as we continue to mourn and overcome this tragedy, ”Director Brendan Kelly said in a statement.

Mason was an 11 year veteran of the FAI.

Mason was on duty at the time, local ABC station in Chicago, WLS reported.

“A lot of people called Mason ‘The Hulk’. He was a solid, strong man. He even ripped his soldier pants during a foot chase because of those big muscles,” Kelly said during a foot chase. press conference Friday evening.

Kelly highlighted the challenges that working soldiers face day in and day out.

“The amazing men and women we all ask to do so much, over and over again, may appear to be superheroes for many days, but they are not immortal. They are not indestructible. They are human beings. with hearts and minds and souls as fragile as the next person. They have a breaking point, ”Kelly said.

His mother Linda Mason was heartbroken to learn of his death.

“He’s my baby. My firstborn,” she told WLS. “He always wanted to be a police officer because he always wanted to protect people. He wanted to make the world a better place. “

His body was escorted in a procession from the hospital to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office with Chicago Police, FAI and Chicago Fire Department paying their respects.

Police did not reveal any additional information about the circumstances of the shooting, but said there was no threat to the safety of the public or the police.