Quick-thinking officers, swift medical response prevent tragedy
ILLINOIS - A dedicated police officer is fighting for recovery after a life-threatening injury that occurred during a high-speed pursuit beginning in Illinois Monday morning. His quick reflexes and the actions of his fellow officers may have made the difference between life and death in this incident that took place on Interstate 70. Aware of the severity of his injury, the officer fired his gun into the air to signal the other officers where he was and that he was in need of urgent aid.
St. Louis Police Chief Robert Tracy praised the swift actions of the officer’s colleagues. Without hesitation, officers rushed to his aid, applied a tourniquet to stem life-threatening bleeding, and transported him to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in their patrol vehicle—clearing a direct path for emergency care.
“That type of injury, you can bleed out very, very fast,” Tracy explained. “Sometimes you have to wait for an ambulance. This was not the case.”
The officers rapid response likely saved their collegues life, ensuring he received medical attention without delay.
Chief Tracy confirmed that the injured officer has previously sustained injuries during his tenure but has always returned to serve his community.
“Looking at what this young man has gone through and just speaking with him coming out of surgery… incredible bravery, toughness,” Tracy said. “He does have some prior injuries, and he has come back to the police department to make sure he could go out into service again when he didn’t have to.”
While the officer is expected to survive, Tracy noted that his injuries are significant enough that “he will never be the same way again.”
The suspect who was also struck by the Cadillac remains in critical condition at a separate hospital, while the two other suspects from the stolen vehicle are in custody. Investigators do not believe the Cadillac that hit the officer and suspect was connected to the stolen Acura.
The incident began when law enforcement responded to reports of stolen and carjacked vehicles in Illinois. Among the stolen vehicles, an Acura was tracked and pursued onto Interstate 70. Police deployed spike strips to slow the suspect’s escape, ultimately causing the vehicle to lose control and crash into another car.
As officers approached the scene, they quickly apprehended the driver and front-seat passenger. However, a third suspect in the back seat leaped from the vehicle and attempted to escape on foot—darting across the heavily trafficked highway in a desperate bid for freedom.
In pursuit of the fleeing suspect, a six-year veteran officer of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department followed him over the highway divider into oncoming traffic. Just as the officer reached the suspect and drew his weapon to order him to surrender, a Cadillac sedan struck both men at high speed.
The Cadillac did not stop and is currently being sought by authorities. Both the officer and the suspect sustained critical injuries.
Authorities continue searching for the driver of the Cadillac CTS sedan, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Chief Tracy commended the bravery of the officers involved, expressing his admiration for those who risk their lives to protect the public.
“They put themselves in harm’s way every single day,” he said. “Their courage leaves me in awe.”