Death of Wheeling police officer caused by blood clot

The Wheeling police officer who died Saturday after collapsing during a training exercise suffered from a blood clot in her lungs, an official confirmed Tuesday.

The clot in Officer Shamekia Goodwin-Badger's lung led to a pulmonary thromboembolism, according to Wheeling Police Chief William Benson.

“It's under natural causes,” Benson said.

After collapsing Thursday night, Goodwin-Badger, 33, was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge where she did not regain consciousness. She was pronounced dead Saturday afternoon.

A wake and service will be held from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, at Kolssak Funeral Home, 189 S. Milwaukee Ave. in Wheeling. At the service for Goodwin-Badger's family and friends, a police tribute to her will finish the evening.

In lieu of flowers, the police department is accepting donations for Goodwin-Badger's 13-year-old daughter at Wheeling Police Benevolent, 1 Community Blvd., Wheeling IL, 60090