Police Officer Jeffrey Friedlieb

Police Officer Jeffrey Friedlieb
Article & Artwork by Jonny Castro

On Aug. 25, Chicago Police Officer Jeffrey Friedlieb tragically took his own life. He had been on duty disability and was battling the residual pain of being shot in the line of duty at the time of his passing. In July of 2011, he and his partner stopped a gang member during a narcotics investigation. After a struggle ensued, the suspect pulled out a gun and shot both officers at close range. One of those rounds struck Officer Friedlieb in the head directly behind the left ear. Despite his near-fatal gunshot wound, the officer was able to maintain his composure, call for backup over radio, give chase and return fire. The wounded gunman was later arrested and eventually convicted of two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Officer Friedlieb did his best to overcome the pain and anguish that he was forced to live with each and every day for the last 12 years, but he just wasn't the same after being shot. The shooting also left him struggling with PTSD and severe nightmares. In the end, he just couldn’t live with the pain anymore.

Officer Jeffrey Friedlieb was a lifelong resident of Chicago. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2003 and proudly served as an Abrams Tank crewman. In 2004, he deployed to Iraq and took part in the Battle of Fallujah. He reached the rank of sergeant before his honorable discharge in 2007. Shortly after that, he began his career with the Chicago Police Department. Officer Jeffrey Friedlieb was 41 years old.