In late April, after apprehending and arresting an individual on suspicion of armed robbery, Chicago Police Officers John Bartholomew and Nelson Crespo transported him to a local hospital for medical attention. While inside the facility, the man allegedly got ahold of one of the officers’ service weapons and began shooting, then fled. Bartholomew was killed and Crespo was shot in the chin. SWAT teams later captured the suspect, who has now added charges of murder and attempted murder to his pending legal predicaments.

In the aftermath of the shooting and officer fatality, authorities confirmed the suspect had a long criminal history and was under an electronic monitoring order while awaiting trial when Bartholomew and Crespo arrested him. State lawmakers have filed bills to automatically revoke pre-trial release of individuals who commit new felonies while under electronic monitoring.

Bartholomew was a 10-year veteran of the Chicago P.D., and Crespo, who is recuperating from his injuries, has been with the department 21 years.

WTTW News reported that at Bartholomew’s funeral on May 8, Chicago Police Commander Alison Christian remembered his passion for policing and care for others. “He would go into jobs and he would worry about everybody’s feelings,” she said. “He would worry about the victim, the offender, the police officer. At the end of a job that he was on, he made sure that everybody felt good. He just had this overwhelming ability and it was his calling.

“Everyone that met him loved him. We will all be better officers and better people because of John Bartholomew.”