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The death of an Illinois police officer that set off a massive manhunt in September has been suspected to be a suicide. According to the lead investigator, the officer was stealing money from the police department.

 

Lieutenant Charles Gliniewicz radioed saying he was chasing three suspects, and was later found struck by two gunshots.

 

Gliniewicz, a US Army veteran, who often went by the nickname "GI Joe", radioed dispatchers to say that he was in a running chase after three suspicious men.

 

When other officers arrived, they found him dead about 50 meters from his patrol car.

In the wake of the incident, he was spoken of as a hero, who died while on duty, which earns one much honor and respect.

 

In October, investigators said that the 52-year-old officer was killed with his own weapon. They arrested three men captured on a home security video system, but they were all released.

 

Gliniewicz was hit by two bullets. The first hit his bullet-proof vest with what an official said was the force of a sledgehammer. The other punctured his upper chest.

 

The lead investigator in the case said that Gliniewicz had been stealing and laundering money from the police department's youth development program, which he led.

 

The investigator said that the stolen money was used for mortgage payments, travel, personal purchases and more.

 

The officer's family has dismissed the suggestion of suicide. One of his four children, DJ, said his dad "never once" thought of taking his own life, and noted that his dad was excited for retirement.

 

-Aubry Shema