- A decorated Chicago police officer was awake and aware this afternoon after being shot in the chest during a foot chase on the South Side, authorities say. A person of interest is being questioned.
South Chicago District tactical officer Del Pearson, 47, was shot just above his bulletproof vest and underwent surgery through the night at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn...
Doctors' first priority was to stop the bleeding, and the bullet remains lodged near Pearson's spine, [...] told reporters outside the hospital this morning. "He's holding his own."
By this afternoon, Pearson was awake, aware and interacting with family members, a police spokeswoman said. His wife, two children, mother and pastor were at the hospital.
Pearson joined the department in 2003 and has received 109 department awards and commendations, including the Superintendent's Award of Valor after he shot and killed a man during an exchange of gunfire in July of 2007, police said.
Exactly the type of officer you'd expect to run after a suspicious person in a craptacular neighborhood intent on mischief and violence. Get well soon Officer.