Gift Cards Collected To Help Injured Bradley Officer's Family

CHICAGO — As Bradley police officer Tyler Bailey remains hospitalized in Oak Lawn after he was shot last week and his partner was killed, 19th Ward Ald. Matt O’Shea is leading an effort to provide assistance to the critically injured officer’s family.

O’Shea announced Tuesday that his office is collecting gift cards from local businesses to assist Bradley’s family, who are staying in the 19th Ward while Bailey is being treated for a gunshot wound to the head at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn.

Gift cards will be accepted at the 19th Ward Offices at 10400 S. Western Ave. or 3207 W. 111th St., through Friday, Jan. 14th, O’Shea’s office said Tuesday. Gift cards for local restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores and other businesses may be deposited through the mail slots at either location.

The 19th Ward community will also conduct a prayer service for Bailey and Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, who was killed after they responded to a hotel for a report of barking dogs left unattended in a car.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the two people charged in the shooting. Rittmanic and Bailey were shot as they attempted to speak with the dog owners at a Comfort Inn in Bradley just before 10 p.m. Thursday. After a hotel employee gave Rittmanic and Bailey the room number for the dog owner, prosecutors said the officers knocked on the door multiple times, with Bailey identifying themselves as police. 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.

A GoFundMe effort aimed at raising funds for Bailey’s recovery has raised more than $104,000 as of Wednesday. According to the Go Fund Me, Bailey was married just two months ago.

The prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. at Saint Cajetan Catholic Church, 2445 W. 112th St. Students from Saint Cajetan Catholic School will also be making cards for Officer Bailey, O’Shea’s office said.

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

For more information, residents are invited to contact O'Shea's office at (773) 238-8766.

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