Holly MatkinBrown County, IL – A Chapin police officer was shot while trying to apprehend a suspect who crashed while fleeing from police in rural Brown County on Saturday night.
The incident began at approximately 11 p.m. on March 26, when a Meredosia police officer conducted a traffic stop on 29-year-old Daniel Payne, WLDS reported.
Payne allegedly sped off during the encounter, leading officers from multiple jurisdictions on a chase that traveled through Pike and Brown counties.
He ultimately crashed on Illinois Route 107 north of County Road 410 North and his vehicle became disabled, according to police.
Officers were approaching the wreckage when Payne allegedly opened fire, hitting a 39-year-old Chapin Police Department (CPD) officer, WGEM reported.
Police returned fire before the gunman surrendered and was taken into custody.
Payne was transported to a local hospital for injuries he suffered in the collision and has since been treated and released, WGEM reported.
He was also shot during the incident, Illinois Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) State Lodge President Chris Southwood told the news outlet.
Payne was subsequently booked into the Schuyler County Jail on a charge of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer and was being held on $1 million bond.
The unidentified wounded officer suffered serious injuries in the attack and remained hospitalized as of Sunday night, the Journal-Courier reported.
He was listed in stable condition and is expected to survive, according to WLDS.
The wounded officer is a seven-year veteran of the CPD.
The Illinois State Police are handling the ongoing investigation into the incident, WLDS reported.
Southwood said the attack exemplifies one of law enforcement officers’ worst fears.
“Every police officer dreads incidents like this one, that can start as a simple traffic stop and end with a potentially deadly confrontation,” the FOP president told WGEM. “But both the Chapin officer who was wounded and the other officers who neutralized the gunman did not hesitate to literally put their lives on the line to stop further bloodshed.”
“These heroes willingly placed themselves into harm’s way to protect their fellow citizens and one officer very nearly paid the ultimate price,” Southwood continued. “The residents of west central Illinois should be humbly grateful for their service, and we ask that you join us in praying that the injured police officer makes a full and speedy recovery.”
Chapin Village President Rex Brockhouse released a statement on Sunday extending his support to the wounded officer and his family.
“We ask that everyone pray for the health and speedy recovery of this most dedicated police officer and outstanding individual,” Brockhouse said, according to the Journal-Courier.
