Former Iroquois County deputy killed, her partner seriously wounded in 2021 attack

The Kankakee murder trial of Darius Sullivan begins today (Monday). He’s one of two defendants charged with the shooting and killing of Bradley Police Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic and the wounding of her partner, Sgt. Tyler Bailey.

Jury selection gets started today. The trial is expected to take two-weeks.

The 28-year-old Sullivan and his girlfriend (Xandria Harris) are accused of attacking the police officers at a Bradley Motel in late December 2021, when the officers responded to reports of barking dogs in a car.

Both officers were shot after when the motel door was finally opened after the officers waited for a response to their knocks at the door. Sullivan and Harris are both charged with 1st-degree murder and attempted murder.  

Marlene Rittmanic died of her injuries in the shooting. Tyler Bailey, now retired, was seriously wounded and underwent months of rehab.

                  (Marlene Rittmanic was a former Iroquois County Sheriff deputy, before joining the Bradley Dept).

Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott is hearing the case.

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