Charges filed in shooting of 2 officers

July 17, 2009 (CHICAGO) Kenneth Green, 21, was expected to appear in bond court Saturday. He is charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer, two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and one count of drug possession.

Another man in the home, Keith Green, 24, was charged with narcotics possession and a parole violation.

Two Chicago police officers who were shot Thursday while executing a search warrant in the Southeast Side home have been discharged from the hospital.

The officers were each shot in the leg. Their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

The shooting happened at a home near 112th Place and State Thursday afternoon in the Roseland neighborhood.

The officers were released from the hospital Thursday night. They're both veterans. One officer is 45-years old and has been on the force 15 years, and the other is 34-years old and has worked with Chicago police for nine years.

The Chicago police superintendent says so far there has been an officer-involved shooting every day this month.

One retired officer said he understands the intensity and pain of the job. He nearly died when bullets punctured his face, aorta, wrist and arm and destroyed one lung.

It's been nearly 40 years since a robbery suspect shot Officer Sam Greco, leaving him with 11 bullet wounds. He's retired now, but that September day inside a lounge on West Madison, is burned into his memory.

"Every time a police officer gets hurt... God forbid dies... you relive it all over again," said Greco.

And that's what he said happened after Greco heard about two Chicago officers who were shot and injured Thursday.

"My first instinct was, God, I pray they're OK," said Greco.

Chicago police say a narcotics team was executing a search warrant. They announced they were police and entered a home through a rear entrance. Police say the 22-year-old suspect fired a gun through a closed door.

The officers were hit and fired back. The suspect was not injured and is now in custody.

It was the fourth officer-involved shooting since Monday.

"The level of violence being shown toward police officers is extraordinarily disturbing. People are trying to murder police officers left and right. And if you think about it, if they will do that to a uniformed officer, what will they do to innocent civilians on the street? And that's why we need the community to work with us," said Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis.

Alderman Anthony Beale said he shares that sentiment. He was in his office when the shooting happened just across the street.

"We have to turn those people in that you see doing illegal activity. My plea now is to the community. Don't accept the status quo. Be out set and get involved and let's make a difference," said Beale.

The officers were taken to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn and will survive. They will now join other officers who have faced death like Greco.

Greco's partner killed the suspect and the two both got awards. But even today, Greco shares his own lesson to other officers on a hot call.

"If you are going into a call, go slow. Take in everything around you. Assess what's going on and then act," said Greco.

Greco now has four relatives on the force, including his son.

Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.