Police Officer Richard M. Francis

Richard M. Francis

Officer Richard Francis was shot and killed with his service weapon when he struggled with a woman who grabbed his gun and shot him once.

The officer was on routine patrol when he responded to a disturbance around 2 a.m. and approached a woman near the Belmont Area (Area 3) Headquarters at 2452 W. Belmont Avenue.

Back up officers responding to the shooting opened fire on the woman when she threatened them. She was critically wounded.

Officer Francis was transported to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 2:57 a.m.

On February 5, 2014, the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life without parole.

Officer Francis served with the Chicago Police Department for 27 years and was assigned to the 019 District. He is survived by his wife and two stepdaughters.