A “young, vibrant and hard working” Chicago police officer who was shot in the chest during a pursuit Thursday night in Chatham on the South Side has died, police said.
The officer, who was 36 and a mother of a “very young daughter,” was a four-year veteran assigned to the Gresham District tactical team, Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling told reporters early Friday.
Officer Krystal Rivera was pronounced dead at 10:19 p.m. Thursday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
“She was a hero, and she lost her life tragically,’’ Snelling said.
She was young, vibrant and a hard worker,” said Snelling, who added she had “already processed two other guns working that day.
“She was a working police officer trying to keep the streets safe,” he said. “Working hard, extremely hard, to save lives.”
“This young woman served honorably and courageously,’’ said Mayor Brandon Johnson, who spoke at the early morning briefing. “Her young energetic and bold approached towards keeping us safe is the memory that we will honor.”
Rivera was on patrol with other officers when they tried to conduct an investigatory stop on a male suspect in the 8200 block of South Drexel Avenue about 9:50 p.m., the police said in a written statement.
They said that, as the officers approached, the suspect ran into a nearby building. When officers pursued him into the building, they were confronted by an armed man, and an officer discharged his weapon, police said.
The officer was shot in her chest, and the gunman ran from the home but was taken into custody, according to the statement.
“Shots fired at police,” an officer screamed over the radio while calling for assistance.
Officers attempting to rush the wounded officer for treatment crashed, and their car caught fire, sources said.
“The transport vehicle is on fire,” an officer said over police radio.
The wounded officer, who sources say was shot with a rifle, was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she died, police said.
Superintendent Larry Snelling and Mayor Brandon Johnson express their heartfelt condolences to the family of our fallen officer as well as our entire city. pic.twitter.com/IyWRFw1gCo
— Tom Ahern (@TAhern_) June 6, 2025
Another officer sustained a wrist injury and was taken to the hospital in fair condition. No additional injuries were reported.
Three guns were recovered, and at least two people were taken into custody. No charges have been announced.
“Please understand what these officers go through on a daily basis,’’ Snelling said. They “protect people they never met. These are exemplary human beings.”
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating as is the Investigative Response Team.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
