Cook County Sheriff's Officer Dies After Collapsing During Run
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Cook County sheriff's police officer died Thursday after he collapsed while participating in a run at the department's training academy.
Officer Jason Gallero, 45, collapsed Thursday morning at Chicago and 5th avenues in Maywood while participating in a colors run with the Cook County Sheriff's Police Training Academy, according to the Cook County sheriff's and medical examiner's offices.
Gallero, who lived in the 2100 block of Jasmine Drive in Crest Hill, was pronounced dead at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, the medical examiner's office said. An autopsy Thursday found he died of heart disease, and his death was ruled natural.
"Jason was beloved by countless friends, family members, and his fellow officers. Officer Gallero was a passionate member of the law enforcement community and truly enjoyed his time training future Police Officers and Deputy Sheriffs. His talent and dedication to policing will have a lasting effect on the communities of Cook County for years to come, and he will be deeply missed," the Cook County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
Gallero was a 22-year veteran of the department and worked as an instructor at the training academy, according to the sheriff's office. He began his career with the sheriff's office in the department of corrections in 1994 before joining the sheriff's police in 2002.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2016. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)