Murder Charges Filed In Cop's Death

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jul 9, 2010 2:00PM

The man accused of shooting and killing Chicago Police officer Thor Soderberg was formally charged in the officer's death last night. Bryant Brewer, 24, was charged with one count of murder for the death of Officer Soderberg as well as one count of attempted murder and one count of armed robbery for his attack on a nearby construction worker moments after he shot Soderberg. Detective Allen Szudarski told reporters yesterday that Brewer admitted to the crimes. Brewer is no stranger to the penal system though he had served little time in jail even after admitting to shooting his brother in 2006. According to the Sun-Times:

Brewer was arrested on the Fourth of July in 2006 for wounding his own brother with a .32-caliber handgun, according to police records. He was covered with blood and told police “I just shot my brother,” a police report said. He was charged with aggravated battery, but the case was later dismissed, court records show.

Brewer was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in 2006. His criminal record includes 21 arrests.

Meanwhile, Soderberg was honored by fellow officers. Mark Donahue, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, said, “It’s quite apparent that not only have we lost a brother in arms, but the entire population of the city, [if] you had known him, would be very proud to call him one of your own." This sentiment was echoed by other colleagues. From the Tribune:

Afterward, officers -- some of them recent graduates taught by Soderberg -- lingered, hugging each other and crying quietly. And then Soderberg's colleagues started their day, having to face the loss of a fellow officer while helping his students prepare to graduate next week.

"I am going to tell them that today we lost a great officer,'' said Howard Lodding, an assistant deputy superintendent who runs the training academy, minutes after the flag-raising. "It was an honor and privilege to stand out there.''

Soderberg was survive by a wife, Jennifer, of five years; the couple had no children.

Brewer is due in bond court later this morning.