Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic was shot and killed as she and another officer investigated a noise complaint at the Comfort Inn at 1500 Illinois 50.
The officers had responded to the motel at approximately 9:30 pm to investigate reports of barking dogs that were left unattended in a vehicle. They located the room where the vehicle's owner was staying and contacted the occupants. During the encounter, the occupants attacked and shot both officers. Sergeant Rittmanic and the other officer were transported to a local hospital in serious condition.
Sergeant Rittmanic succumbed to her wounds shortly after midnight. Her partner was shot in the forehead and suffered permanent disabilities, medically retiring from law enforcement.
The occupants fled the motel and were arrested approximately 36 hours after a multi-state manhunt. One suspect was found guilty of first-degree murder in 2024 and sentenced to life in prison.
Sergeant Rittmanic was a U.S. Army veteran of the Gulf War and had served with the Bradley Police Department for 14 years. She had previously served with the Iroquois County Sheriff's Office for seven years.
Survivors
She is survived by her wife, father, five sisters, and one brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-FEA198E4- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Sergeant Rittmanic gave the Bradley Police Department 21 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bradley community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, sister.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Marlene Roberta Rittmanic served in the Army (1990â1991) before joining law enforcement.
Sergeant Marlene Roberta Rittmanic is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Bradley Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Marlene Roberta Rittmanic's cause is highlighted.
How Marlene Roberta Rittmanic Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Marlene Roberta Rittmanic is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Marlene Roberta Rittmanic was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bradley Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
