ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly Addresses Violence Against Bradley Police Officers

For Immediate Release

Bradley, IL – Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly offered his deepest condolences to the family of Bradley Police Department (PD) Sgt. Marlene Rittmanic, wishes for a speedy recovery to Bradley PD Officer Tyler Bailey, and heartfelt appreciation for the efforts of everyone involved in bringing the shooters to justice. The following comments were offered during a press conference held at the Bradley Police Department on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 concerning the investigation into the shooting of two Bradley PD Officers.

“I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to all of the law enforcement agencies, emergency personnel, first responders and medical personnel for their assistance during this terrible time. I’d like to thank the men and women of the ISP, particularly ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 3 special agents and ISP Crime Scene Investigators, the US Marshals, Indiana State Police, the Kankakee County States Attorney’s office, Bourbonnais and Bradley Fire and EMS, Fulton County Indiana Sheriff’s Office, Wabash County Indiana Sheriff’s Office, Kosciusko County Indiana Sheriff’s Office, Warsaw Police Department, North Manchester Police Department, Akron Police Department, North Manchester Fire Department. Manchester University Security, Lutheran EMS, and the Wabash Fire Department and the numerous other individuals who have been tirelessly working to ensure these violent individuals face justice.

I will also be forever grateful that we were able to apprehend the suspects without any further harm to anyone else, both here and in Southern Illinois with the safe, courageous apprehension of the killer of Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley.

It feels too often like we are living in a cynical, self-centered, self-absorbed, selfish time. Every day, law enforcement officers like Sgt. Rittmanic and Officer Bailey, and Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Riley leave their homes and families to serve and protect their communities because they are selfless.

That’s why it is nearly impossible to express the depth of my sadness and condolences to the entire Rittmanic family, her friends, and the Bradley Police Department family. We will continue to pray for her and seek justice for her and for Officer Bailey and their families during this painful time. The families, friends, the Bradley Police Department and every first responder in our state are hurting right now.

Officer Bailey was viciously attacked because he was doing his job. Sgt. Rittmanic was executed because she was doing her job. Sean Riley was executed in Wayne County because he was doing his job. These alleged acts were cowardly acts of evil.

The Illinois State Police will continue to assist our Bradley Police Department family and will be vigilant in the pursuit justice as this investigation continues. Through turmoil and tragedy, through good times and bad, the Illinois State Police will always remain ready to aid our law enforcement partners and safeguard everyone in Illinois.

We all want justice, we all want freedom, we all want safety, no one more than those who serve in law enforcement. But there is no safety, there is no freedom, there is no justice without the law. And there is no law without law enforcement. And there is no law enforcement without people like Sgt. Rittmanic, Officer Bailey, and Deputy Riley, without brave souls like those who serve in the Bradley PD, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, the Illinois State Police and all law enforcement. And every one of us should get down on our knees and thank God for every one of them.”

The full press conference can be viewed on the Illinois State Police Facebook page at https://fb.watch/alP0n97aM0/ .