A Rockford police officer died early Sunday morning following an altercation during a traffic stop.
30-year old Jaimie Cox suffered fatal injuries as he was pronounced dead at a Rockford hospital.
Rockford police say that Officer Cox, a graduate of Hononegah High School, made a traffic stop in the area of East State Street and Dawn Avenue just after 1 yesterday morning.
A short time later, Cox indicated he needed assistance. Officers found a single vehicle crash about 2 blocks from the original traffic stop.
Pronounced dead at the scene was the driver of the car, 49-year old Eddie Patterson of Rockford. Cox was also found at the location with critical injuries.
Preliminary reports indicate that Cox was involved in a struggle during the traffic stop that resulted in him becoming entangled in the suspect's pickup truck. Police also say that Cox fired his weapon during the incident.
The cause of death for both Cox and Patterson has not been determined at this time as autopsies are scheduled.
The Winnebago-Boone County Integrity Task Force is part of the investigation since Cox fired his gun.
He joined the Rockford Police Department in December of 2016. Cox is the 7th Rockford police officer killed in the line of duty since 1917. The 6 others were killed by gunfire.