CPD Reels From Cop's Death, Supsect Questioned

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jun 2, 2009 2:00PM

The city and the Chicago Police Department are still reeling from the shooting death of Chicago Police Officer Alejandro Valadez, the third officer killed in the line of duty in less than a year. Valadez was shot twice early Monday morning when responding with his partner to a report of shots fired in the Englewood neighborhood; he was in plain clothes and the shots were apparently fired from a passing car. Sources have reported that the car used in the shooting has already been found and police confirm they have been questioning two men in custody, though no charges have been filed.

Valadez was from a family of police; his brother, sister, and girlfriend are also officers. Yesterday, speaking to reporters, CPD Supt. Jody Weis said, "He was on a team working on special missions, and today he's not with us anymore. That's going to have a devastating effect upon everybody that knew him, everybody in the Chicago Police Department, and it should have a devastating effect upon all ... citizens of the city of Chicago." Keith Calloway, the Englewood District Commander where Valadez was assigned to the midnight shift, said of the fallen officer, "He was the kind of officer who'd be there day and night. If there was any kind of hot call, he was always going in a heartbeat." [Tribune, Sun-Times]