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Two Chicago police officers killed by train

Posted at 6:55 AM, Dec 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-18 08:55:29-05

Two Chicago police officers were killed Monday when they were hit by a passing commuter train, police said. They were identified as Eduardo Marmolejo, 37, and Conrad Gary, 31.

Witnesses told CBS Chicago they saw the police chase then heard the screech of the train coming to a stop.

Police said a weapon was found and a person of interest was being questioned at the site where the two newly appointed officers “lost their lives protecting their community from a gunman.”

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson   Johnson said the train was traveling 60 or 70 miles an hour and both officers were killed immediately.

“By doing the most dangerous thing any police officer can do, that is to chase an individual with a gun, these brave young men were consumed with identifying a potential threat to their community and put the safety of others above their own,” Johnson said.

“We’ve lost two young men, both fathers,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. “This holiday will never be the same. Those two families, all our hearts are with them.”

According to a CBS Chicago employee on the train, the power went off, and a visibly shaken conductor told riders there was an emergency and an investigation is being conducted.