Retired Bradley officer seriously injured in shooting that killed partner testifies in trial

Bradley police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic killed in 2021 hotel shooting

Leah Hope Image
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Retired Bradley officer confined to wheelchair after shooting testifies against suspect
A retired Bradley officer confined to a wheelchair after a shooting that killed his partner testified Tuesday.

KANKAKEE, Ill. (WLS) -- A former Bradley police officer seriously injured in a shooting that killed his partner testified Tuesday in the murder trial for one of the suspects charged in the incident.

On Dec. 29, 2021, Bradley police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, 49, and then-Officer Tyler Bailey were shot after approaching a man who was wanted on a warrant for his arrest.

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Prosecutors allege Darius Sullivan shot the officers as they confronted him at his hotel room door.

Sullivan and his girlfriend, Xandria Harris, are charged with murder and attempted murder.

The couple was allegedly in the hotel room with their three young children. Sullivan is also charged with endangering the lives of children. Harris will be tried separately.

Rittmanic and Bailey had been called to the Comfort Inn off Route 50 that night for a report of dogs barking, left in a car on a cold night outside the hotel. Once there, they discovered Sullivan, who was staying at the hotel, had a warrant out for his arrest.

Sullivan's defense attorney told jurors Sullivan was defending his family that night, thinking someone was breaking into his hotel room.

Bailey was shot in the forehead, but survived. Rittmanic, who was fatally shot in the shoulder and neck, was honored by officers and civilians at her funeral and was buried at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Bailey testified briefly Tuesday at the Kankakee County Courthouse, saying the shooting changed his life forever.

He confirmed he worked with Bradley police and was involved in the 2021 incident, but did not remember anything from that day.

He said he's been confined to a wheelchair since the shooting, and needs constant care.

Bailey has since retired from the force.

The emergency room doctor who treated Bailey testified that, with the severity of his injuries, he was surprised Bailey survived.

Bailey left court without commenting further Tuesday.

Harris refused to testify Monday.

She also refused to testify earlier this month.

The state's attorney offered Harris a form of immunity to testify in Sullivan's trial, so her testimony could not be used against her in her own trial.

The trial is expected to last two weeks, and jurors could begin deliberating as soon as Thursday.