Nick Theofanopoulos, 39, was in his uniform on Monday when an alleged drunken driver fatally struck him in Chicago's Mt. Greenwood neighborhood. Driver Monzerat Perez, 21, allegedly had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit and has been charged.
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Theofanopoulos's co-workers said they believe his family will not receive benefits if his death is classified as being off-duty. When an officer dies in the line of duty, they get a funeral with full honors as well as generous death benefits for their family.
RELATED: Cook County deputy killed in head-on crash in Mt. Greenwood
However, Sunday night, a Cook County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said the department has made no official determination about whether the officer was on duty.
Theofanopoulos family declined to comment.
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The officer was single with no children, but colleagues worry that if the department does classify the death as being off-duty, it sets a worrisome precedent.
On Sunday, hundreds of family, relatives and fellow officers paid their respects during a visitation.
Funeral services are scheduled for Monday morning.
The family has asked that he be buried in his uniform.