Chicago police officer who died at Near North Side station identified

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are conducting a death investigation after an officer died at a Near North Side police station Thursday morning.

Police said the 34-year-old was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head at the station on Division and Larrabee streets. A police source said it was a self-inflicted wound.

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The call for help was made around 2:30 a.m.

She was later identified as Malissa Torres by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

She leaves behind a husband and young child, as well as a number of devastated colleagues.

The department released a statement, saying, "The Chicago Police Department is mourning the tragic loss of an officer within the 18th District station. Detectives are currently conducting a death investigation. Our officers are human, and we cannot forget that they face the same challenges as everyone else while balancing the difficulties that come with being a police officer. We ask the public to keep this officer's family and her fellow officers in your prayers as we grieve this unimaginable loss.

"At this time, the 18th District station is closed for service as detectives continue their investigation. Service calls within the 18th District are being handled by nearby districts."

Torres was honored Thursday morning with a salute from her fellow officers, as she was taken out of the Near North Side police station on a stretcher and placed into an ambulance.

A procession was then held, leaving Northwestern Memorial Hospital to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, with dozens of police lining the street.

While details of her death are still being investigated, CPD is asking for the public's prayers, as they grieve this unimaginable loss.

CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling recently sat down with the I-Team to discuss his vision for CPD, and spoke about the importance of officer wellness.

"Officers are human beings," Superintendent Snelling said. "What they want is support. I want them to take care of themselves. I want them, that when they need help, to ask for it. And I don't want them to be afraid to do that. And I want them to know that, while they're out there doing that work, that I support them 100% because most people have no idea what those officers are dealing with and what they go through."

He said there is a level of trauma that officers deal with on a daily basis and if that is not handled properly, those who put their lives on the line are being neglected.

He released an internal memo Thursday that said, "Grief affects each of us in different ways, and I ask that you each take the time to check in with one another today."

Mayor Brandon Johnson released a statement saying, "Our city mourns the tragic loss of an 18th District Chicago Police officer. Our hearts are shattered and broken over this tragedy. My deepest condolences and ardent prayers are with the officer's family, loved ones, and fellow officers as we grieve. This tragedy is a reminder that we must carry each other. Every single day, our officers witness traumatic scenes, and it is our responsibility to provide them with the support they need to navigate that reality. I ask the city to keep the officer's family and loved ones, 18th District officers and staff, and the entire Chicago Police Department in your prayers during this time of immense grief."

Service calls within the 18th District are now being handled by nearby districts.

Slain CPD Officer Ella French's mother, Elizabeth, and her CPD partners, Carlos Yáñez Jr. and Joshua Blas, were at the station Thursday, as part of the Light the Line Team to lend support to officers.

"You can see these officers trying to wrap their heads around the fact that there was a colleague there yesterday that wasn't there today and for an awful reason," Elizabeth French said. "I got so much support from the women and men of the Chicago Police Department, and sometimes it was just being there. Sometimes it was just a hug, and now I get to pay it forward by being here."

"Today was supposed to be Officer Wellness Day; so, she was preparing that. She was telling officers, don't bring lunch, we are going to feed you tomorrow," Yáñez said. "We are human. We have stresses outside this job. Family stuff, finances, and then we come to work and we deal with everybody else's situations and problems. And some of us don't know how to separate that. We take it personal. And that puts more weight on us."

On Thursday, Light the Line did for officers at the 18th District what Officer Torres herself promised to do Wednesday. They brought them lunch.

"All the officers are sharing their memories, telling us things she said yesterday. It's just heartbreaking to be here," Yáñez said.

Former Officer Yáñez understands grief and trauma all too well.He was critically injured and French was killed during a traffic stop four years ago.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office said in a statement, "We are devastated to learn of the tragic loss of an officer within the 18th District station early Thursday. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office extends heartfelt condolences to the officer's family and the greater CPD community during this immensely challenging time."

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