Two Chicago police officers struck, killed by train

Two Chicago police officers were killed Monday after being fatally struck by a train. The officers were responding to a call of shots fired in the city's Far South Side. Both men were married fathers.

What are the details?

Officers Conrad Gary, 31, and Eduardo Marmolejo, 36, were conducting surveillance around 6:20 p.m., when they saw a suspect running toward the railroad tracks, the Chicago Tribune reported. The two officers gave chase on foot and were hit by a passing train during their pursuit.

Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi announced on Twitter that the department's "Bureau Chiefs and District Commanders were joining detectives to personally retrieve" the officers' bodies from the railway, to honor the two fallen partners.

To demonstrate our highest honors, the #ChicagoPolice Bureau Chiefs and District Commamders are joining detectives to personally retrieve Officers Marmolejo & Gary from the railway. Commander Joel Howard will lead the procession to the Medical Examiner's Office upon completion.
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) December 18, 2018

Gary had been with the department for 18 months, and Marmolejo had been with CPD for 2 1/2 years, the Tribune said. Gary leaves behind one young child, and Marmolejo had three children, police told WMAQ-TV.

Guglielmi reported that "a weapon was recovered and a person of interest is being questioned at the site" where the officers lost their lives.

A weapon was recovered and a person of interest is being questioned at the site where two newly appointment #ChicagoPolice officers lost their lives protecting their community from a gunman.
— Anthony Guglielmi (@AJGuglielmi) December 18, 2018

Anything else?

The deaths of Gary and Marmolejo bring the number of Chicago police officers killed while pursuing suspects to four this year.

Officer Samuel Jimenez was killed in a mass murder at Mercy Hospital last month, and Cmdr. Paul Bauer was fatally shot in February during a chase.

Also, two off-duty officers committed suicide outside the 111th Street station in the Calumet District this year, according to the Tribune, and another officer passed away after suffering a heart attack while on post at the same station.

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said during a news conference Monday night, that the district "had to deal with tragedy after tragedy this year. 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."