19th Ward Hosts Prayer Service For Bradley Police Officers

CHICAGO — Residents from the 19th Ward and members of the law enforcement community will gather for a prayer service Monday, Jan. 10, for Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic and Officer Tyler Bailey. The prayer vigil starts at 7 p.m. and will be led by Fr. Tom McCarthy and Chicago Police Chaplain Kimberly Lewis Davis at St. Cajetan Church, 2445 W. 112th St.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the two people charged in the shooting. Rittmanic and Bailey were responding to a hotel for a report of barking dogs left unattended in a car. Both officers were shot when they attempted to speak with the dog owners at a Comfort Inn in Bradley. Prosecutors said Bailey was shot in the head and Rittmanic was killed with her own gun after a man and woman disarmed her in the hallway of the hotel.

The family of Officer Bailey is currently staying in the 19th Ward, while he receives medical care at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. The offices of Ald. Matt O’Shea are currently accepting gift cards for local restaurants, gas stations and grocery stores to be donated to the family through Jan. 14. Gift cards can be mailed to or dropped off at 10400 S. Western Ave. or 3207 W. 111th St., Chicago, 60655, through Friday, Jan. 14.

A GoFundMe effort aimed at raising funds for Bailey's recovery has raised over $127,000 as of Wednesday. According to the Go Fund Me, Bailey was married just two months ago.

Per the State of Illinois current guidelines, all individuals over the age of two will be required to wear a face mask throughout the prayer service.