Thor Odin Soderberg, a 43-year-old white male police officer, was tragically killed on July 7, 2010, in Chicago, Illinois. Officer Soderberg, who had served with the Chicago Police Department for nearly 11 years, was assigned to the Bureau of Professional Standards: Unit 124 – Education and Training Division. On the day of his death, he was participating in a weeklong police operation called Operation Protect Youth, headquartered at the Targeted Response Unit’s facility located at 6120
South Racine Avenue.
At approximately 3:45 p.m., after finishing his shift, Officer Soderberg was in the parking lot of the facility, changing out of his uniform. During this time, he was approached by Bryant Brewer, a 24-year-old male. A physical altercation ensued, during which Brewer managed to disarm Officer Soderberg and fatally shot him. Brewer then took Officer Soderberg’s gun and attempted to commit an armed robbery of a civilian passerby. Officers inside the facility heard the gunshots and responded, exchanging gunfire with Brewer, who was wounded but later recovered.
Officer Soderberg was pronounced dead at the scene by Dr. Rios at 5:25 p.m. and was transported to the Medical Examiner’s office. Brewer was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and armed robbery. In August 2015, Brewer was found guilty of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder of additional officers. On September 23, 2015, he was sentenced to natural life in prison for the murder charge and an additional 300 years for the attempted murder charges.
