Police pay tribute to fallen Merrillville Officer Nick Schultz, 24
MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (WLS) -- The body of fallen Merrillville Police Officer Nick Schultz was escorted from Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office on Tuesday morning. Several Lake County, Ind., departments were involved in the escort.
Officer Mike Haskins from the New Chicago Police Department in Indiana didn't know Schultz, but he wanted to be involved.
"We don't like coming to these things. This is the last thing we want to come to, as a police officer," Haskins said. "We're a brotherhood and a sisterhood. When you lose one, you all get hurt. Being here is the least I could do for him."
PHOTOS: Police escort body of Officer Nickolaus Schultz from hospital to M.E.'s office
Officer Schultz died Sunday morning, a few hours after he was removed from life support. He was rushed to the hospital Friday night. Schultz and several other officers responded to a call at a condo complex in Merrillville. Police said Michael Hrnciar, who was being evicted, ambushed the young officer and shot him in the head before turning the gun on himself.
Schultz is the first Merrillville police officer to die in the line of duty. The rookie officer was 24.
Joe Hamer of the Indiana State Fraternal Order of Police praised the young officer's dedication to the police department and to his community. Schultz is being remembered as a young leader who got along with everyone.
"It's for remembrance, honor to pay tribute. All to show some comfort for the family that's left behind - Nick's family," Hamer said. "It's very touching when you see how many people are turning out, as far as law enforcement goes, to pay tribute to their fallen brother."
As an organ donor, Schultz continued saving lives after his death.
"The amount of people that are going to benefit from him being a donor is countless," Hamer said.
Schultz attended Lowell High School and graduated from Franklin College, where he was captain of the football team. His colleagues said he was a mentor.
The police escort is expected to take Schultz's body back to Indiana. Plans for a public viewing and his funeral are still pending.
