Off-duty Chicago police officer dies inside 18th District station of self-inflicted gunshot wound

CHICAGO — An off-duty Chicago police officer died inside the 18th District police station early Thursday morning of what a source with the Chicago Police Department tells WGN News was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The source says the incident happened just after 2 a.m. and the officer was pronounced dead at the scene. The 18th District police station is located in the 1100 block of North Larrabee Street, in River North.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has since identified the officer as Malissa Torres, 34, of Chicago.

CPD released an official statement earlier Thursday morning announcing the officer’s death, saying only that detectives are currently conducting a death investigation.

“Our officers are human, and we cannot forget that they face the same challenges as everyone else while balancing the difficulties that come with being a police officer,” CPD said in its statement. “We ask the public to keep this officer’s family and her fellow officers in your prayers as we grieve this unimaginable loss.”

Officers could be seen saluting the officer who died, later identified as Torres, as she was loaded into an ambulance and taken to Northwestern Hospital early Thursday morning, where police had been waiting for several hours. A procession of CPD officers then delivered her body to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

CPD says the 18th District police station is closed for service as detectives continue their investigation. Service calls within the 18th District are being handled by nearby districts.

Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement Thursday morning, saying:

“Our city mourns the tragic loss of an 18th District Chicago police officer. Our hearts are shattered and broken over this tragedy. My deepest condolences and ardent prayers are with the officer’s family, loved ones, and fellow officers as we grieve.

“This tragedy is a reminder that we must carry each other. Every single day, our officers witness traumatic scenes, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the support they need to navigate that reality. I ask the city to keep the officer’s family and loved ones, 18th District officers and staff, and the entire Chicago Police Department in your prayers during this time of immense grief.”

Earlier this week, CPD Supt. Larry Snelling discussed the challenges his officers face on the job on a daily basis during a one-on-one interview with WGN’s Patrick Elwood.

“We have to make sure that we understand that these officers are putting their lives on the line,” Snelling said. “They’re out there every single day working under some of the most difficult conditions that you can imagine, seeing people in some of the worst states that you could ever see a human being in.

“And then we expect them to get up and go back out there and do it again.”

WGN obtained an internal email from Snelling sent department-wide early Thursday morning, acknowledging what was undoubtedly a difficulty scene for the officer’s family and her fellow officers, while also reminding officers that support is available.

Anyone who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts and needs assistance can dial 988 for the 24-hour Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Visit The Well Resource Center website for more information on the organization’s services.

Visit the Light the Line website for details on the organization.