Illinois police officer, Jaimie Cox (pictured), 30, was killed after Cox he pulled over a driver during a traffic stop at 1am on Sunday
An Illinois police officer and the driver of a pickup truck were killed after a scuffle broke out during an early morning traffic stop that led to a car crash on Sunday.
Rockford officer Jaimie Cox, 30, pulled over 49-year-old Eddie Patterson shortly after 1am in the area of East State Street and Dawn Avenue.
A short time later, Cox made a ‘brief radio transmission indicating he needed assistance,’ Rockford Police Chief Dan O’Shea said in a statement.
When officers responded to the scene, they found Cox, who was critically injured, near the crash two blocks from the initial stop.
‘Officers began immediately administering first aid and transported Officer Cox to OSF St Anthony Medical Center where he died as a result of his injuries,’ O’Shea said.
Patterson was found dead inside the crashed vehicle. Autopsies have revealed that Cox died of blunt force trauma that a spokeswoman for the city of Rockford said may have been caused when the pickup truck crashed.
Officials said Patterson was shot to death during the traffic stop. His autopsy showed that he suffered from a single gunshot wound.
Police believe Patterson may have been shot by Cox, but details surrounding the incident remain unclear.
Autopsies reveal Cox died of blunt force trauma and Eddie Patterson (left and right) was shot dead. Police believe Patterson may have been shot by Cox, but details surrounding the incident remain unclear
‘The preliminary results of the investigation indicate that Officer Cox was involved in a scuffle during the traffic stop that resulted in the officer becoming entangled by the suspect vehicle,’ the police statement read.
Authorities said it’s ‘believed that Officer Cox fired his weapon during the incident’.
O’Shea said that the Winnebago County Integrity Task Force, which investigates police-involved shootings, was activated based on the information available.
Cox was not wearing a body camera during the incident, O’Shea said.
State police Sgt Sam Thomas said Monday that Patterson’s driver’s license had been revoked and that Cox may have pulled him over after noticing license plates on the pickup ‘didn’t match the vehicle’.
Cox joined the department in December 2016, according to WREX. He received an honorable discharge from the US Army National Guard in 2010 and was a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
Authorities said it’s ‘believed that Officer Cox fired his weapon during the incident’. Cox was not wearing a body camera during the incident, O’Shea said
State police Sgt Sam Thomas said Monday that Patterson’s driver’s license had been revoked and that Cox may have pulled him over after noticing license plates on the pickup ‘didn’t match the vehicle’. An officer is seen investigating the scene
‘The Rockford Police Department expresses its sincere gratitude for the outpouring of support it has received from the Mayor, City Council, and the community,’ O’Shea said.
Illinois Gov Bruce Rauner offered his condolences in a statement.
‘We are deeply saddened by the death of Officer Jaimie Cox,’ Rauner said.
‘He paid the ultimate price while working to keep our communities safe. My thoughts and prayers are with his family as they find a way to cope with this tragic loss.’
Visitation is scheduled from 3-9pm on Friday at First Free Evangelical Church for Cox, the city of Rockford said in a news release.
A police funeral service will start at 10am on Saturday at the church.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Rockford Police Department at (779) 500-6551, (815) 966-2900 or CrimeStoppers at (815) 963-7867.