Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera, 36, was accidentally shot and killed by her partner during a tactical operation on June 5, 2025, in the Chatham neighborhood on the city’s South Side. The four-year veteran and single mother died from a gunshot wound to the back while pursuing an armed suspect.
The incident began around 9:50 p.m. when Rivera and her partner from the 6th District Tactical Team attempted to stop a male suspect in the 8200 block of South Drexel Avenue. Police officials indicated the suspect fled into a nearby apartment building, prompting officers to pursue him inside the three-story structure.
Inside the residence, officers encountered another person armed with a rifle who pointed the weapon in their direction. During the confrontation, Rivera’s partner fired his weapon and unintentionally struck her in the back. Police Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed that the officer’s weapon was the only firearm discharged during the incident.
Following the shooting, Rivera was transported to University of Chicago Medical Center in a squad car that crashed and caught fire during the journey. Officers transferred her to another vehicle to complete the transport, but she was pronounced dead at 10:19 p.m. Another officer sustained a wrist injury and was hospitalized in fair condition.
The suspect who allegedly aimed the rifle at officers fled the scene but was later taken into custody. Adrian Rucker faces multiple charges including armed violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of fraudulent identification, and drug possession. Three firearms were recovered at the scene.
Rivera’s 10-year-old daughter, Bella Medina, described how her mother hugged her tighter than usual when leaving for work that Thursday morning. The child recalled her mother saying she would always be in her heart if anything happened. Rivera’s family members indicated she was Bella’s life, and the girl’s 11th birthday party had been scheduled for that weekend.
Pastor Daniel Cruz of Faithworld Church, where Rivera had been a member for nearly 20 years, remembered her dedication to her faith and desire for her daughter to know it as well. He described being completely shocked by the news and weeping more than he had in recent months after learning of her death.
Superintendent Snelling said, “This is the risk that our officers take every single day.” He described Rivera as young, vibrant, and a hard worker who had confiscated and processed two guns earlier that day before the fatal incident occurred.
The police official emphasized the difficult emotional state of the officer who fired the shot, describing it as unimaginable what that officer must be feeling. He urged the public not to rush to judgment while the investigation continues, noting that officers may see things that no one else knows at the time.
Rivera was assigned to the Gresham District tactical team and served the Grand Crossing and Gresham district police stations. The Billy Goat Tavern at Navy Pier organized a food delivery effort for officers at both stations, with retired Chicago police Officer Walter Metcalf coordinating the donation of 160 cheeseburgers and cases of soda.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, friendly fire incidents are relatively rare in law enforcement. From 2020 to 2024, only eight of 273 firearms-related officer deaths were categorized as inadvertent or accidental shootings, representing less than three percent of such fatalities.
Rivera represents the fifth Chicago Police officer shot and killed since 2023. The previous four officers killed were Enrique Martinez in November 2024, Luis Huesca in April 2024, Aréanah Preston in May 2023, and Andres Vasquez Lasso in March 2023.
Funeral arrangements have been announced for Rivera. Visitation will be held on June 24 at Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral service is scheduled for June 25 at noon at Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, according to Chicago police officials.
The Chicago Police Department’s Investigative Response Team is handling the investigation, and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability has been notified. The department indicated that any information gained from reviewing the incident will help inform future officer training programs.
A prayer vigil was held Wednesday night at the 6th District station where Rivera worked. Blue ribbons were placed around trees, and black bunting was draped on the station wall. Local law enforcement officers turned out in large numbers to show support for the department after losing their third officer in the past year.