Quincy Police officer shot during Thursday morning disturbance at Third and Elm

QUINCY — The Quincy Police Department has confirmed one of its officers was shot and suffered “non-life-threatening injuries” Thursday morning during an incident at Third and Elm.

Mike Tyler, deputy chief for the Quincy Police Department, did not identify the injured officer but did say the officer was taken from the scene by an Adams County ambulance. He called the incident “isolated,” and the area had been secured.

Multiple law enforcement officials from the Illinois State Police, Quincy Police Department and the Adams County Sheriff’s Department were on the scene early this afternoon. Also on the scene were Todd Eyler and Josh Jones from the Adams County State’s Attorney’s Office.

“Officers were called to a disturbance, and there was an officer-involved shooting,” Tyler said.

Tyler also said another person was shot and taken to Blessing Hospital.

A press release from the Quincy Police Department said officers responded to the 700 block of North Third at 11:51 a.m. During an investigation of a disturbance, an officer was shot and another officer returned fire, critically injuring the suspect.

An Adams County Sheriff’s Department vehicle blocked traffic heading south on Third Street at the intersection of Lind. An Illinois State Police department vehicle blocked traffic heading east on Elm at the intersection of Second Street.

“Per state law and our policy, it’s ISP’s investigation,” Tyler said. “We will probably refer a lot of stuff to the Illinois State Police, and they will give direction. It’s their crime scene, and (the Quincy Police Department) will keep the area secure.”

The last time a Quincy Police Department officer is believed to have been shot in the line of duty was June 29, 2011. 

Law enforcement officers were in pursuit of Iowa resident Benjamin Biggs, who stole a vehicle in Quincy and was stopped near Quincy Regional Airport. Biggs shot Quincy Police officer Tom Miller, and the bullet miraculously deflected off Miller’s gunbelt. Biggs then drove his vehicle into Miller’s QPD squad car, totaling it.

Heading east on Ill. 104, Biggs fired a shot at Adams County Sheriff’s deputy Kevin Kasparie, then got out of the stolen vehicle in Kingston. Biggs ran into an unoccupied house. 

Joe Lohmeyer, a sergeant with the Adams County Sheriff’s Department, was on the second-floor landing by a bedroom entrance when Biggs fired at him, hitting him in the chest. Lohmeyer was wearing a bulletproof vest and was uninjured. Biggs eventually was found dead in the bedroom of the home, having suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Muddy River News will continue to update this story throughout the afternoon.