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06-02-09, 02:35 PM
Major Case Squad: Centreville police officer died from single gunshot wound
June 1 2009
KSDK-- The Major Case Squad reports the Centreville, Illinois police officer killed this morning died of a single gunshot wound.
Lt. Gregory Jonas, 59 was getting out of his patrol car when someone opened fire. He died later at an area hospital.
The shooting incident happened in the 2 a.m. hour outside the Earnest Smith Senior Apartments on Tudor Avenue and 44th Street in Centreville.
Major John Lakin, Deputy Commander of the Major Case Squad, said Jonas was patrolling the area when he came across a group of suspects. One of them fired at Lt. Jonas.
"Today is a very sad day obviously for the village of Centreville, and law enforcement as well," Lakin said. "It's a tragedy when a law enforcement officer doing his job is gunned down in the line of duty."
Lakin spoke this morning from Illinois State Police Headquarters in Collinsville. He said more than 50 officers are investigating the case.
Lakin confirmed some residents living near the complex were taken into custody this morning for questioning. But he would not go into detail, only adding no individuals have been charged at this time.
Centreville Mayor Mark Jackson said Lt. Jonas was planning to retire this year and that he does not remember any other time the department has lost an officer in the line of duty.
Lt. Jonas also worked for the Alorton Police Department for eight years prior to joining the Centreville Department.
"We just lost a good officer. In fact a great officer," Centreville Dep. Police Chief James Mister said.
Jonas would have celebrated his 60th birthday next week.
The Major Case Squad is expected to release more information about the investigation this afternoon.
Family and friends are invited to attend a candlelight vigil Sunday in the parking lot of the Earnest Smith Housing Development at 4731 Tudor Avenue at 3:00 p.m.
KSDK
link (http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=176750)
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RIP LT. Jonas
June 1 2009
KSDK-- The Major Case Squad reports the Centreville, Illinois police officer killed this morning died of a single gunshot wound.
Lt. Gregory Jonas, 59 was getting out of his patrol car when someone opened fire. He died later at an area hospital.
The shooting incident happened in the 2 a.m. hour outside the Earnest Smith Senior Apartments on Tudor Avenue and 44th Street in Centreville.
Major John Lakin, Deputy Commander of the Major Case Squad, said Jonas was patrolling the area when he came across a group of suspects. One of them fired at Lt. Jonas.
"Today is a very sad day obviously for the village of Centreville, and law enforcement as well," Lakin said. "It's a tragedy when a law enforcement officer doing his job is gunned down in the line of duty."
Lakin spoke this morning from Illinois State Police Headquarters in Collinsville. He said more than 50 officers are investigating the case.
Lakin confirmed some residents living near the complex were taken into custody this morning for questioning. But he would not go into detail, only adding no individuals have been charged at this time.
Centreville Mayor Mark Jackson said Lt. Jonas was planning to retire this year and that he does not remember any other time the department has lost an officer in the line of duty.
Lt. Jonas also worked for the Alorton Police Department for eight years prior to joining the Centreville Department.
"We just lost a good officer. In fact a great officer," Centreville Dep. Police Chief James Mister said.
Jonas would have celebrated his 60th birthday next week.
The Major Case Squad is expected to release more information about the investigation this afternoon.
Family and friends are invited to attend a candlelight vigil Sunday in the parking lot of the Earnest Smith Housing Development at 4731 Tudor Avenue at 3:00 p.m.
KSDK
link (http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=176750)
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RIP LT. Jonas