Son Of Fatally Shot Fox Lake Officer Says Dad Wasn't Suicidal
By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Sep 16, 2015 4:00PM
"I didn't just lose a father, I didn't just lose a trainer, a mentor, a coach. I lost my best friend, the person I could talk to about anything and everything. It is starting to kind of set in now. I really miss you dad and want you back I love you." (D.J. Gliniewicz/Facebook)
The son of the Fox Lake officer who was fatally shot on the job is dispelling reports that his father might have shot himself. Donald "D.J." Gliniewicz told The Daily Herald: "My father never once had a single suicidal thought in his life."
Gliniewicz was gunned down Sept. 1 shortly after radioing in a description of three men acting suspiciously. There are no suspects in the case yet, and authorities are waiting for a slew of tests to pin down what happened in the moments before his death. Earlier, the coroner said he couldn't determine whether Gliniewicz's wounds were self-inflicted or not. And a few anonymous investigators told the Tribune that they are investigating whether Gliniewicz's commit suicide.
Gliniewicz's son says that though he has full faith in the team investigating his father's death, his family was angered by the release of information. He told The Daily Herald, "For someone who didn't know him to go out and question that, then also release information that could jeopardize the investigation ... my entire family isn't happy."
Lake County Major Crimes Task Force Commander George Filenko told The Daily Herald his team is treating the case as a homicide, especially since Gliniewicz himself said he was involved in a pursuit shortly before his death. But he says the team isn't discounting any theories until they can be definitively ruled out by the forensic tests they're waiting on: "We are pursuing this as a homicide, but as is usual in every homicide investigation we have ever handled, nothing is completely off the table. We go where the facts lead us, and right now, there is too much information that hasn't been processed."
The investigation into Gliniewicz's death has been massive. Evidence has been sent on to local, state and federal crime labs. The manhunt to find suspects in the case involved 400 police officers. Three suspects who met the final description that Gliniewicz radioed in were questioned but ultimately released in the case. The investigation hasn't been completely smooth, though. The coroner's office and police investigating the case have been clashing, the Sun-Times reports.
Gliniewicz's son posted a remembrance on Facebook: "I didn't just lose a father, I didn't just lose a trainer, a mentor, a coach. I lost my best friend, the person I could talk to about anything and everything. It is starting to kind of set in now. I really miss you dad and want you back I love you."
A $50,000 reward is being offered to anyone who sends in a tip that leads to an arrest in the case. Anyone wishing to submit a tip should call (800) CALL-FBI or log on to the FBI website.
If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: do not leave the person alone, remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt, and call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.
Related:
Authorities Investigate Whether Fox Lake Officer's Death Was A Suicide
Photos: Moving Vigil Held For 'GI Joe' Gliniewicz As Manhunt Continues