Just before 6 p.m. Sunday, Harvey police responded to a robbery in progress at a t-shirt shop in a strip mall at the intersection of 159th and Wood streets, according to a statement from the city.
A single armed suspect -- described as a black male -- opened fire on the officers as soon as they arrived.
A person of interest was questioned by police, but was later released, according to a Harvey spokeswoman
Robert Rolfe, a six-year Harvey police veteran, was shot twice. He was in "stable" condition while preparing for surgery Monday with family and fellow officers at his side at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, according to the statement.
Rolfe and his wife of five years have a 5-month-old son, the statement said. The family "wishes to express gratitude for the continued outpouring of support and well wishes," the statement said.
According to police, the suspect started shooting as soon as an officer walked in and tried to interrupt that robbery.
"Officers responded. The first officer on the scene received shots delivered by the suspect. He returned fire. He sustained a non-life-threatening injuries," said Harvey Deputy Chief Jason Banks.
The suspect managed to get away on foot after firing shots from a handgun, but authorities said the suspect might have been hit in the leg during the shootout.
Investigators say the suspect was wearing black clothing and had on a black ski mask inside the store. Police said they were using all available resources including dogs, to find the suspect, who is considered armed and dangerous.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
