Officer remains critical after being shot in the face

The Associated Press

BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- The wife of a police officer who was critically injured during a standoff with a murder suspect thanked the public for its support Sunday and said her husband will prove his "courage and determination" as he recovers from his wounds.

Sgt. Jon Brough, a 22-year veteran of the Belleville police force, was shot in the face Friday at the beginning of a standoff with a man sought in connection with the slayings of a Swansea couple. He remained in critical condition Sunday afternoon at Saint Louis University Hospital, a spokeswoman said.

Brough was shot as officers tried to search the home. Another officer suffered minor cuts from broken glass in the exchange of gunfire.

Several hours later, SWAT team members entered the house and found Sicka dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Illinois State Police are reviewing the incident and how Belleville police responded to the standoff.

"Sometimes you have to reach into the dark places and hope you don't get bit," Rick Weissenborn, deputy commander of an Illinois State Police squad, said Saturday. "You can plan and train the best you can, but each situation evolves into a new monster."