Oak Forest Police Officer Dies In Crash
OAK FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- A 30-year veteran Oak Forest police officer died Monday evening, after a crash in his squad car while on the job.
James Morrissy, 63, was on his way to assist another officer responding to a domestic call at about 2:15 p.m. Monday, when his squad car was struck by another vehicle as he was trying to turn left onto Cicero Avenue at 160th Street.
He was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 8 p.m.
Oak Forest Police Chief Greg Anderson said Morrissy's death was hitting the department hard. He had served on the force for nearly 26 years, and was known not only for his dedication, but his work to mentor other officers.
"We at the Oak Forest Police Department are proud to have served with Jim. It is difficult to express our feelings for him. He was extremely dedicated and died while responding to assist another officer," Anderson said in a written statement. " Jim was an active field training officer with our department and was so well respected that he was always the first officer assigned to work with our new recruits. Jim will be missed and our condolences go out to his family."
Morrissy is survived by his wife and three sons.
His death was marked by his colleagues with a parade of police cruisers, their lights flaring in his honor.
The other driver involved in the crash suffered only minor injuries.
The crash was under investigation Tuesday morning. Police said no charges were pending.