Metra officer dies after being rescued from Fox River in S. Elgin

A Metra police officer died after apparently shooting himself and then being rescued from the Fox River in South Elgin, officials said.

Roman Putyrski, 61, of South Elgin, died Thursday night after he was taken to Presence St. Joseph Hospital earlier in the day, South Elgin Police Chief Chris Merritt said.

South Elgin police and the South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District responded to a call Thursday morning about a person in the river on the west side of the dam.

"I believe his spouse was following him closely behind and may have saw (what happened)," Merritt said.

Putyrski was unconscious when he was pulled from the water, and police believe he shot himself with a gun that was recovered at the scene, Merritt said.

Putyrski had an office at the Elgin Police Department, Cmdr. Colin Fleury said.

"Although Roman did not work for the Elgin Police Department, we considered him a member of our family and we are deeply saddened by his loss," Fleury said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

Kane County Coroner Rob Russell could not be reached for comment.