Off-duty Indiana officer stabbed in head at South Side auto pound

CHICAGO (WLS) -- An off-duty police officer from Indiana was stabbed in the head at a tow yard in Chicago's South Deering neighborhood.

Fire officials said the 22-year-old man was working security overnight at the city-owned auto pound in the 10300-block of South Doty Avenue.

Paramedics responded to the yard around 1:10 a.m. Monday and found the officer had been stabbed in the face and possibly his ear.

Police said he may have interrupted the suspect trying to break into a vehicle and, upon discovery, the suspect produced a "cutting instrument" and stabbed the officer.

Officials at Indiana University Northwest in Gary said the victim has been employed as an officer at the school for the past year. Students were sent an email regarding the incident Monday morning.

Indiana University Northwest Interim Chief of Police Wayne James met with the injured officer and his family at Advocate Christ Medical Center. James said the officer was released from the hospital and is expected to recover.

"The department was shocked and saddened this morning to hear of this news. But we are all very relieved that he's been released from the hospital and that the investigation into his attack is promising. His physical injuries could have been much worse and we are all hopeful and positive about his continued recovery," James said in the email.

Chicago police are investigating the stabbing. The email said a suspect has been identified, but no one is in custody.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.