VIDEO: IL Officer Killed in Crash Responding to Retail Theft Call

A 27-year-old police officer was killed Thursday night while responding to a call in northwest suburban Bloomingdale, IL. Police Chief Frank Giammarese remembered Officer Raymond Murrell as a "shining star," reports WLS-TV .

"He made such an impact in less than a year in our police department, involved in many of our community programs, like Shop with a Cop. He had a life-saving award at such a young stage in his career. Just a great guy, loved by our department," Giammarese said.

Officer Raymond Murrell (R) with Chief Frank Giammarese. (Photo: Bloomingdale Police Department)

Police said Murrell was on his way to a retail theft in progress, possibly involving four individuals, at a nearby store. He was heading west on Army Trail in an unmarked squad, with his lights on, when witnesses said they saw his SUV hydroplane.

He lost control and crashed into a traffic light pole just after 9:30 p.m. The car was so badly damaged that he had to be extricated from the car. That was a tough moment for his fellow officers, who rushed over to help.

Murrell was rushed to Adventist GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights, where he later died.