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(CHICAGO) — A 36-year-old police officer who was a mother to a young daughter and four-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department has been shot and killed while on duty in Chicago, police said.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker identified her as Krystal Rivera.
“There’s no higher calling than the work to keep Illinoisans safe — and Krystal lived that value day in and day out,” he wrote on social media. “My condolences to her family and loved ones. May her memory be a blessing.”
The shooting occurred at approximately 9:50 p.m. Thursday when officers attempted to conduct an investigatory stop on a male suspect, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Officers approached the suspect, but the individual immediately fled on foot into a nearby building, police said.
Law enforcement subsequently pursued the suspect into the building but were confronted by another individual who was armed inside the residence where the suspect fled, authorities continued.
“The armed offender fled the residence and was taken into custody,” police said. “An officer sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to an area hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.”
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said, “She lost her life tragically doing the job that she loved.”
“Tthat was one of the things that her mother said, she loved her job and the way that she worked, it was evident that she did love her job and she wanted to make Chicago a better place,” Snelling said at a news conference.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said the entire city is mourning her loss.
“This young woman served honorably and courageously. I am calling on the entire city of Chicago to keep this officer’s family in your prayers along with our entire police department,” Mayor Johnson said. “Her young, energetic bold approach toward keeping us safe is the memory that we will honor.”
An additional officer sustained an injury to the wrist and was taken to the hospital in fair condition, police said, but no other injuries were reported.
Three firearms were located on the scene and multiple people were taken into custody, police said.
Overall, between Jan. 1 and April 30, 16 police officers in the United States have been feloniously killed in the line of duty and firearms were used in 75% of those incidents, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The leading circumstances surrounding officers’ deaths included activities related to responses to unlawful or suspicious activities, pursuits and traffic stops, according to the Justice Department.
Accidental law enforcement deaths, however, have decreased 68.2% when comparing the first four months of 2024 (22 deaths) with those of 2025 (seven deaths), with the leading causes of accidental deaths in 2025 being motor vehicle crashes and officers struck by vehicle.
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