Sheriff's Officer Commits Suicide With Service Weapon, Police Say

An off-duty Cook County correctional officer who lives in Chicago Heights is believed to have killed himself using his service weapon Monday.

William Washington, 40, died from a gunshot wound at St. James Hospital after he was taken from an apartment in Steger, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. 

Steger Police Chief Richard Stultz said the apartment belonged to Washington's girlfriend and told Chicago Tribune reporters what police believe occurred:

Washington and the girlfriend were at the woman's apartment, where they were arguing, Stultz said. The woman had just been dropped off by a male friend, who left and walked down the stairs when the argument began, Stultz said.

After the woman stopped the argument and was about to leave, Washington went to a back bedroom. The woman heard a gunshot and then found him wounded on the floor, said Stultz. The male friend called 911.

Police are calling the death a suicide and say they don't expect to file any charges.

The medical examiner's office initially told the Tribune an autopsy would be performed on Washington's body Tuesday, but has since said the body had not arrived on time and would likely be examined Wednesday.

Washington had worked for the Cook County Sheriff's office for more than 11 years, according to a spokesman for the office.