The Illinois State Police are investigating an incident in which a former Oak Park police officer reportedly shot himself inside the police station at Village Hall.
On Wednesday, Oct. 16 at approximately 5:45 p.m., an Oak Park police officer sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound while inside the police station, village officials confirmed to Wednesday Journal last year. The officer was hospitalized for his injuries but was eventually discharged.
The officer retired from the department on Jan. 23, 2026, “following more than 25 years of dedicated service to the village of Oak Park,” the village confirmed this week.
Illinois State Police confirmed that its investigation into the incident is ongoing when ISP FOIA officer Sarah Wheeler denied Wednesday Journal’s Freedom of Information Act request for records related to the incident last month.
“ISP is still actively investigating this case,” Wheeler said in response to Wednesday Journal’s FOIA request. “ISP is awaiting information from outside agencies and investigating how the firearm was discharged, and the officer was struck. The release of the requested records at this time would compromise the investigation by exposing information about the pending and fluid investigation including reports, suspect/witness statements, physical evidence, laboratory results and photographic evidence, and would jeopardize outstanding interviews being conducted.”
