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The Lake County community is mourning the loss of one of their own local police officers who was killed in the line of duty when he pursued 3 suspects described as 2 White and 1 Black males on foot. A massive manhunt is on in an effort to capture the culprits.

Read more as reported by ABC 7:

FOX LAKE, Ill. (WLS) — A manhunt for three suspects continued into the night after a police officer was fatally shot in far north suburban Fox Lake Tuesday morning. Police say the suspects, described as two white males and one black male, should be considered armed and dangerous.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the search perimeter was released just after 10 p.m. after a 14 hour search coordinated between local, state and federal law enforcement. The scene has been turned over to the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, which will be the lead agency on the investigation.

Due to community concerns, the following Fox Lake area schools will be closed Wednesday, Sept. 2:

Grant Community High School District #124
Fox Lake Grade School District #114
Gavin School District #37
Gavin Central School
Gavin South School
Big Hollow School District #38
Saint Bede Catholic School

Village officials said the decision was in the best interests of the students, community and law enforcement.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Dept. identified the slain officer as 52-year-old Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz, a 32-year veteran of the force and married father of four sons in their teens and early 20s who was well-known and well-liked in the community. Lt. Gliniewicz went by his middle name, and was nicknamed “G.I. Joe.”

Gliniewicz grew up in the Fox Lake area where he served as a peace officer, graduated from Antioch Community High School and obtained a Master’s degree in criminal justice from Kaplan University. He was a leader of the Fox Lake Police Department Explorer Post, which helps mentor young people interested in careers in law enforcement, and an Army veteran who served in active duty and reserve from 1980 to 2007. He left the military with a rank of First Sergeant.

Gliniewicz had been married for 26 years and was to retire at the end of September. He met with Fox Lake’s mayor Monday to talk about his retirement plans and ensure that the Explorers troop he led continued without him.

“Today Fox Lake didn’t just lose a family member, I lost a very dear friend,” Fox Lake Mayor Donny Schmit said.

Lt. Gliniewicz was shot while responding to a call of three suspicious people near Route 12 and Sayton Rd around 7:52 a.m., police said. After communication was lost with the officer, his backup arrived on the scene to find him injured with a gunshot wound, Det. Covelli said. Officials later confirmed he died.

The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police released a statement about Lt. Gliniewicz’s death, saying, “Today the Fraternal Order of Police lost a fellow member and brother who died heroically serving his community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the slain officer’s family, friends and fellow police officers. He leaves a legacy of several decades of service to Fox Lake for which we are humbly grateful.”

A memorial page has been set up on Facebook, and the Northeast Illinois Council, Boy Scouts of America will hold a vigil 6 p.m. Wednesday at Lakefront Park in Fox Lake.

Source: ABC