Off-Duty Joliet Police Officer Dies In Lemont

JOLIET, IL - A Joliet Police officer in his 12th year on the force died on Tuesday, the city's interim police chief Al Roechner confirmed. On Wednesday afternoon, Roechner provided Joliet Patch with information that was given to the rest of the Joliet Police Department regarding the young officer's untimely death. The statement indicated that Officer Daniel Rupp, who has been on the city police department for 11 1/2 years, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Rupp was 33, the chief said.

Roechner said Rupp died while off-duty in Lemont, which is around where he lived. Roechner said it was his understanding that the officer's death was investigated by the Cook County Sheriff's Department.

"It is with deep sadness that I announce the untimely death of officer Daniel Rupp," the Joliet Police Department's statement read. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family."

Information supplied by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office on Wednesday afternoon stated that an autopsy was performed. Doctors determined that Rupp died from a gunshot wound to the head, and his death was determined to be a suicide, the medical examiner's documents show.

Joliet's WJOL radio station reported that Rupp was found dead at a Cook County Forest Preserve in Lemont.

File image via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor