advertisement

Investigation ensues after Rockford officer, driver deaths

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) - Authorities in northern Illinois are investigating the deaths of a police officer and a driver who were found dead after an apparent altercation during a traffic stop.

Police said Eddie Patterson, 49, was driving with a revoked license in a truck with expired license plates Sunday morning when he was pulled over by 30-year-old Rockford Police Officer Jaimie Cox, the Rockford Register Star reported.

Cox was found entangled in the truck, which had crashed into a tree, and Patterson was found with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators believe Cox opened fire at Patterson, but it's unclear when.

Detectives with the Winnebago-Boone County Integrity Task Force will examine physical evidence to determine the sequence of events because no useful video footage has been found from the incident. Detectives will also be conducting additional interviews and waiting for the results of a detailed crash reconstruction, said Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Sam Thomas, commander of the task force.

"We are still trying to wade through all the information and see how everything meshes together to see if we can get answers," Thomas said.

Patterson's family said they want answers as to what happened. The family said Patterson was unarmed and had been on the right side of the law for nearly a decade.

"I know my brother," said Jossie Patterson. "He was not a bad guy. Anyone who knew Eddie knew he was a good person."

___

Information from: Rockford Register Star, http://www.rrstar.com

CORRECTS OFFICER'S NAME TO JAIMIE, NOT JAMIE - This undated photo provided by the Rockford Police Department shows Rockford Police Officer Jaimie Cox. Cox died during a traffic stop Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017 in Rockford, Ill. Authorities say Cox and another man were both found dead at the scene of a single-vehicle crash. Rockford police Chief Dan O'Shea says Cox became "entangled" with the car and fired a shot, but he declined to say how either man died or to provide additional details. (Rockford Police Department via AP) The Associated Press
In this Nov. 6, 2017 photo members of the Rockford Fire Department listen to prayers read at a vigil in honor of fallen Rockford police officer Jaimie Cox in Rockford, Ill. Cox died during a traffic stop Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017 in Rockford, Ill. Authorities say Cox and another man were both found dead at the scene of a single-vehicle crash. Rockford police Chief Dan O'Shea says Cox became "entangled" with the car and fired a shot, but he declined to say how either man died or to provide additional details. (Kayli Plotner/Rockford Register Star via AP) The Associated Press
In this Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 photo, community members listen to prayers read at a vigil in honor of fallen Rockford police officer Jaimie Cox in Rockford, Ill. Cox died during a traffic stop Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017 in Rockford, Ill. Authorities say Cox and another man were both found dead at the scene of a single-vehicle crash. Rockford police Chief Dan O'Shea says Cox became "entangled" with the car and fired a shot, but he declined to say how either man died or to provide additional details. (Kayli Plotner/Rockford Register Star via AP) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.