Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 3 years, 5 months, 17 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: Bureau of Strategic Deployment: Unit 253 - Targeted Response Unit
District of Incident (Present Day): 007 - Englewood
Cause of Death: Crash - Automobile (Pursuit)
Age at Time of Death: 26
Timeline
Date of Birth: 21 Jul 1979
Date of Appointment: 26 Aug 2002
Date of Incident: 17 Jan 2006
End of Watch: 12 Feb 2006
Date of Interment: 16 Feb 2006
Interment Details
Cemetery: Resurrection Catholic Cemetery - Justice, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # D-9
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 9
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 4, Line 55
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 22-E: 25
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: Did Not Serve
Incident & Biographic Details
Police Officer Eric Solorio, Star #13609, aged 26 years, was a 3 year, 5 month, 17 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Bureau of Strategic Deployment: Unit 253 – Targeted Response Unit.
On January 17, 2006, at 10:47 p.m., Officer Solorio and his partner, Police Officer Maria Ramirez, were working the third watch on beat 4221E. While on patrol they witnessed a vehicle speeding. The officers pursued the vehicle Eastbound on Marquette Road from Halsted Street and attempted to pull it over. While in pursuit both vehicles passed a white car on the left. For unknown reasons, just after passing the white car, an unknown Chrysler came into the intersection from Southbound Union Avenue and headed Eastbound on Marquette Road. Officer Ramirez took evasive action to avoid a collision and swerved to the right. The squad car hit a patch of black ice and spun out of control traveling over the south curb of Marquette Road. The squad car then struck a tree and continued traveling until it struck the Alpha Missionary Baptist Church building located at 701 West Marquette Road before coming to rest. Officer Solorio was transported to Christ Medical Center by CFD Ambulance #36. Officer Ramirez was also transported to Christ Medical Center by CFD Ambulance #58.
Officer Solorio sustained severe trauma to his neck, back and internal injuries as a result of the crash. Once at the hospital it was determined that he would be permanently paralyzed from the chest down. He was only able to move his shoulders and arms. Officer Solorio would later undergo surgery for his spinal injury. After surgery he awoke and blew everyone in his hospital room kisses. Over the next month he would remain in the hospital and talk with the dozens of visitors who came to visit. Tragically, Officer Solorio would later develop breathing problems and internal bleeding which necessitated additional surgery. Due to complications he would succumb to his injuries and was pronounced dead by Dr. Salzman at 7:25 p.m. on February 12, 2006. Officer Ramirez sustained only minor injuries in the crash, was treated, and released from the hospital.
Officer Solorio was waked at Blake and Lamb Funeral Home located at 5800 West 63rd Street. His funeral mass was held at Holy Cross Church. He was laid to rest on February 16, 2006 in Resurrection Cemetery, 7201 Archer Avenue, Justice, Illinois.
Police Officer Eric Solorio, born July 21, 1979, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on August 26, 2002. He earned 10 Honorable Mentions during his career.
Officer Solorio was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Latin American Police Association. He was survived by his mother, Amelia (nee Mendez), age 62; siblings: Richard Carillo, Richelle Romo and Rosa.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #HM130287.
In March 2006, a new satellite police station located under the Granville Red Line “EL“ stop was dedicated in Officer Solorio’s honor.
On September 7, 2006, Officer Solorio’s star was retired by Superintendent Philip J. Cline and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 South Michigan Avenue.
On September 1, 2010, In memory of his sacrifice the brand new Eric Solorio Academy High School located at 5400 South St. Louis Avenue was named in his honor and officially opened.