Darrius Sullivan sentenced to life for shooting Bradley officers Marlene Rittmanic and Tyler Bailey in Kankakee County

KANKAKEE, Ill. (WLS) — The man who shot and killed a Bradley police sergeant in 2021 was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday.

Darius Sullivan was convicted on all counts last September in the murder of Marlene Rittmanic, 49.

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Sullivan was found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder and endangering the life of a child.

His girlfriend is also charged, and is awaiting trial.

The judge in the case Tuesday denied defense attorneys’ motions for a new trial, and victim impact statements began before sentencing.

Rittmanic’s wife read an emotional statement.

The judge sentenced Sullivan to life in prison for Rittmanic’s death and injuring her partner.

Sullivan received a sentence of 364 days in county jail for the child endangerment charges.

Rittmanic’s partner, Tyler Bailey, was critically injured in the shooting that happened in December of 2021.

Bailey testified from his wheelchair during the trial.

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Sullivan’s defense attorney told jurors Sullivan was defending his family that night, thinking someone was breaking into his hotel room.

Sullivan’s three children, ages 2 months to 8 years old, and his girlfriend, Xandria Harris, were also in the room.

Sullivan’s attorney argued there were holes in the state’s case and evidence that was missed connecting Sullivan to the crimes.

On Dec. 29, 2021 Rittmanic and Bailey responded to a call of dogs barking in a car on a cold night outside a Bradley hotel.

Once at the scene, they believed Sullivan was a guest at the hotel, and was wanted on warrants.

Rittmanic was shot in the shoulder and twice in the neck. The last two shots were fired from her duty weapon. She died of her injuries.

Bailey was shot in the forehead, and is left with permanent disabilities, ending his career as a police officer.