Off-Duty Dolton Police Officer Shot During Robbery In Chatham
CHICAGO (CBS) -- An off-duty Dolton police detective was shot during a robbery attempt early Monday outside his home in the Chatham neighborhood.
Chicago police said Dolton Detective Darryl Hope just got home from work shortly after midnight near 76th and Calumet, and was walking through the front door, when two men approached him.
The men ordered Hope down the stairs of his front porch, and announced a robbery. Hope, who was not in uniform, pulled out his own gun and traded shots with the robbers.
Hope, 55, was shot three times, and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center. Dolton Police Chief Robert Collins said Hope was in good condition and in good spirits, despite what happened.
The robbers got away without stealing anything. It was unclear if either of them was wounded. Chicago police brought in a helicopter to help search for the suspects.
"This is just another reminder of what can happen to anyone out on the street, not just regular citizens, but police officers completing their shifts. They're not immune to the violence, and the things that go on on the streets slso. Considering that he was dressed in civilian clothing, no one would know that he was a police officer. He seemed like another easy target," Collins said.
Crisis responder Andrew Holmes said he spoke with Hope just minutes before the shooting.
"He's a friend of mine, and also we have worked together, too, within the community, as far as trying to enhance the quality of life and stop the violence," he said. "He is a personal friend of mine, as well as all of the Dolton Police Department, as well as the Chicago Police Department."
Hope has been with the Dolton Police Department for about 15 years. He's also a member of the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force.
Several people in the neighborhood have surveillance cameras that might have recorded the incident. So far, police have only vague descriptions of the suspects.
