Brian Strouse

Police Officer Brian Strouse, of the Monroe District, was shot and killed while conducting a surveillance of gang activity near West 18th Place and South Loomis.

Officer Strouse was working as a plainclothes tactical officer. At approximately 2 a.m., he went into an alley and shots began to ring out. Wearing a bulletproof vest and a police badge on his utility belt, Strouse yelled out, "Police, drop your gun.” Five more shots continued until a fatal bullet struck Officer Strouse.

The other two officers ran toward the sound of the gunshots where they found Officer Strouse laying on the ground. He had been shot once in the chest and once in the head. The shot to the chest had been stopped by his vest. Officer Strouse was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds approximately seven hours later.

On September 17th, 2003, the gunman was convicted of first degree murder and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.

Officer Strouse was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Chicago Police Department for six years. During his career, he received 61 commendations and a life-saving award.

He is survived by his parents and three sisters, one of whom is also a Chicago Police Officer.