Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A high-ranking Chicago police officer was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon while in pursuit of a suspect, police said.
Commander Paul Bauer, 53, was shot several times while assisting a tactical team at the Thompson Center downtown, Chicago Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi announced on Twitter.
"18th Dist Cmdr. Paul Bauer -- a 31 year veteran of the CPD -- was senselessly murdered today while safeguarding Chicago. Cmdr. Bauer was assisting officers in apprehending a suspicious person when he was fatally shot. Person of interest is in custody," Gugielmi wrote.
Bauer was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he died and the suspect was taken into custody, said police Superintendent Eddie Johnson.
"It's a difficult day for us, but we'll get through it," Johnson told the Chicago Tribune.
Police radioed about a suspect who started running from tactical officers who attempted to stop him for questioning. Bauer confronted the suspect, who then opened fire.
An officer found Bauer shot in a stairwell after apprehending the suspect and recovering his firearm.
Bauer joined the department in 1986 and was the commander of the department's mounted patrol unit before taking command of the Near North District.
"Today, our department suffered a tragedy that it is difficult to comprehend. This afternoon, a CPD commander was shot while assisting fellow officers," Johnson wrote in an email to members of the department. "Please take the time to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Stay safe."
