Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic death, shooter in Kankakee County shooting Darius D. Sullivan at large [Wiki]

After a shooting at a motel in the hamlet of Bradley on Wednesday night, one police officer was murdered and another was gravely injured, a manhunt is underway in Kankakee County.

After receiving a complaint reporting dogs barking in an abandoned car in the parking lot at 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, Bradley Police rushed to the Comfort Inn motel at 1500 N. Illinois Highway 50.

The automobile and its suspected owner were discovered inside a hotel room, according to police. According to Bradley police, both policemen were shot after attempting to communicate with the persons inside the room.

Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, 49, of the Bradley Police Department, died in the hospital. Officer Tyler J. Bailey, 27, was taken to the hospital in severe condition.

At 2 p.m. Thursday, a parade in Rittmanic’s honor will be held from the morgue to Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais.

Mayor Christopher Curtis of Kankakee expressed his sympathy.

“Our hearts are heavy with sadness for our neighbouring city and its police department. We send our condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of the slain Bradley police officer on behalf of the City of Kankakee. “We also continue to pray for the other Bradley officer’s recovery,” Curtis added in a statement.

The two policemen, according to Gov. JB Pritzker, “are the epitome of heroes.”

“They have shown unshakable courage and a determination to give the ultimate sacrifice in order to defend us all.” “No one should have to make this sacrifice,” Pritzker said on Twitter.

Officer Tyler J. Bailey and Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic is the epitome of heroism.

They demonstrated unshakable courage and a determination to give the ultimate sacrifice in order to defend us all. No one should have to make this sacrifice.

December 30, 2021 — Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker)

In the meanwhile, authorities are looking for Darius D. Sullivan, 25, and a second suspect who has yet to be named. A warrant for Sullivan’s arrest has been issued, and he is considered armed and dangerous, according to police.

In Kankakee County, Sullivan has a criminal record that includes a guilty plea to a theft offence in 2005.

In 2018, he was additionally charged with burglary, and the case is still ongoing.

Earlier this year, he was also charged with misdemeanour violence.