Cook County Medical Examiner's Office Rules Illinois State Trooper's Death As Suicide

The death of a 35-year-old Illinois state trooper, who was found in a squad car Friday, has been ruled a suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the cause of death of Gerald Mason Saturday, reported ABC7 Chicago.

An investigation into his death was launched after he was found in his parked car around 1: 42 pm Friday on northbound Interstate 94 at 43rd street, said Illinois State Police (ISP), who also shared that he was taken to the University of Chicago hospital but died shortly after.

Illinois State Police director Brendan Kelly said in a statement, "It is with profound heartache and unfathomable sadness that we inform you of the death of Trooper Gerald Mason."

Kelly described the 11-year veteran of the force as "one of the many fearless troopers assigned to ISP District Chicago," and asked the public to give consideration to his family members and the ISP family while they grieve and work through this tragedy, reported ABC News.

A woman, who was driving on the inbound Dan Ryan around 1.45 pm, used Mason's radio to call for help after she spotted his vehicle.

Kelly shared that many called him The Hulk, and that he was a strong man. "He even ripped his trooper pants during a foot pursuit because of those muscles," he added. Kelly said that to many, troopers seem like superheroes, but they are not indestructible and not immortal. According to him, they have a breaking point, and are humans with minds, hearts, and souls.

His mother, Linda, said that her son had always wanted to be a cop as he wanted to make the world a better place, and that everybody loved him. She said that she got a call from her younger son Friday afternoon as the incident was discussed on social media. Then she called Mason to check on him, but he didn't answer, and shortly after she received a call from the hospital. By the time she reached the hospital, he had passed away.

He was not married and didn't have any kids. A procession was held where his body was escorted by Chicago cops and his colleagues while his family members watched in grief.