SHELDON, Ill. — A Newton County (Ind.) sheriff’s officer is in critical condition after being shot in the line of duty while assisting the Iroquois County (Ill.) Sheriff’s Office on Sunday night.
Newton County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Brandon Schreiber was shot by the suspect, who was shot and killed in the incident, according to authorities. Schreiber is a five-year veteran of the department.
Schreiber was initially taken to Iroquois Memorial Hospital, authorities say, and was then flown to the Carle Trauma Center in Urbana, where he remained in critical condition as of Monday afternoon.
Illinois State Police, which is leading the investigation, released details of the incident on Monday.
According to ISP, preliminary reports indicate officers from the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Office were engaged in a pursuit of an armed suspect with a hostage Sunday evening. The pursuit crossed into Indiana, so the Newton County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit, ISP says.
The pursuit then came back into Illinois, according to ISP, and the suspect crashed in Sheldon. The suspect then exited his vehicle, and gunfire was exchanged.
During the exchange of gunfire, according to ISP, the suspect and a deputy from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office were both struck. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office identified the deputy as Schreiber on its Facebook page.
The suspect, 37-year-old Andrew Roselius of Clifton, Ill., was pronounced dead at the scene, ISP says. No hostage was located inside the vehicle.
In a statement, Newton County Sheriff Shannon Cothran said: “We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support and prayers from our law enforcement families, both from Indiana and Illinois, as well as from our community.
“Your kindness is deeply appreciated and means more than words can express.”
A prayer and vigil for Schreiber were held Monday night on the Newton County Courthouse lawn.