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Rosemont cop won't be charged in fatal shooting of brother-in-law

The Rosemont police officer who shot and killed his brother-in-law while off duty in January won't face criminal charges, authorities said Wednesday.

The determination not to charge officer Rick Drehobl in the death of Joseph Caffarello comes after a nearly three-month investigation by the Illinois State Police.

"After a very thorough investigation by the Illinois State Police and a subsequent legal review of the facts of this case, the Cook County state's attorney's office has determined that there is insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges in this matter," according to a statement from the state attorney's office.

Officials at the state attorney's office didn't provide further explanation about what led to their decision.

A state police spokesman said the case was closed from their end and handed over to prosecutors, who are responsible for determining if charges are warranted.

Caffarello, 31, was shot by Drehobl just before noon Jan. 7 on the 6100 block of Scott Street in Rosemont's gated community, in an encounter that Rosemont police said stemmed from a domestic situation.

The shooting was preceded by a car accident involving two vehicles, one driven by Joseph Caffarello and the other occupied by Caffarello's wife, Deanna, her baby and Rick Drehobl. It took place about four blocks from the home of Joseph and Deanna Caffarello.

Authorities haven't described how the shooting came about, or whether both men had weapons.

Drehobl was off-duty and not driving a Rosemont police vehicle.

Drehobl is the brother of Deanna Caffarello, and son of Village Clerk Debbie Drehobl and park board President Richard Drehobl.

The officer, a four-year veteran of the force, was placed on paid administrative leave from his regular duties while state police conducted their investigation and assigned to desk duty, said Gary Mack, a village spokesman.

Mack said public safety department officials are comfortable returning Drehobl to regular street patrol duty now that the state's attorney's office has rendered a decision.

"In essence now that the state's attorney has issued its decision, which is what we were waiting for, we will abide by it," Mack said. "There is effectively nothing else to say other than he will be taken off of the leave that he was on and put back into his regular duties and assignment."

The Drehobl and Caffarello families did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

Off-duty Rosemont cop shoots and kills brother-in-law

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