The shooting left Airhart unable to speak, walk or swallow food.
Airhart, a 25-year Chicago police veteran, was 53 years old.
The man who shot him, Daniel Salley, was convicted in 2006 and sentenced to life in prison.
Police detective shot in 2001 dies
CHICAGO
Detective Joseph Airhart was shot in the head by a man police were trying to arrest on bank robbery charges. Airhart was gravely wounded. He was then held hostage by the suspect for two hours.
