A Wheeling, Ill. police officer died Saturday following a training exercise two days earlier.
Officer Shamekia Goodwin-Badger collapsed during the training exercise on July 25 and did not regain consciousness, according to The Daily Herald
She was pronounced dead at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge on Saturday.
The 33-year-old joined the department in 2008 after four years with as an officer in Hawthorn Woods, Ill. She was a decorated Army veteran, having served in Kuwait and Iraq.
"Officer Badger was very special to the members of the police department -- no matter what was happening in one's life, you could always go to her for a word of encouragement and a guaranteed smile," Police Chief William Benson said in a statement.
"She was an officer who could handle any situation, displaying a calm, firm demeanor, but also one that was compassionate and understanding."
A wake and service will take place from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, at Kolssak Funeral Home in Wheeling.
In lieu of flowers, the police department is accepting donations for Goodwin-Badger's daughter at Wheeling Police Benevolent, 1 Community Boulevard, Wheeling, IL, 60090.
Officer.com will provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
