Police Salute As Body Removed From Scene

"CHICAGO, IL — A Cook County sheriff's office correctional officer apparently shot to death his wife, a Chicago police officer, inside their Southwest Side home Sunday morning before turning the gun on himself, authorities said.

"Javier Acevedo and his wife, Veronica Rizzo-Acevedo, were found dead about 5 a.m. inside their home on 5314 South Austin Avenue, according to Cook County sheriff’s office spokeswoman Cara Smith. Chicago police said the deaths are being investigated as an apparent murder/suicide but released no other information as of Sunday evening.

"`It is a tremendous tragedy any day, particularly for Easter Sunday,` Smith said.

"Smith said the two, both 50 years old, were found inside a bedroom.

"Rizzo-Acevedo’s adult daughter heard the gunfire in the Garfield Ridge home and called 911, according a law enforcement source.

"Smith said Javier Acevedo was a 25-year veteran and worked at the county jail.

"Rizzo-Acevedo had served as a Chicago police officer for nearly two decades, Superintendent Garry McCarthy said in a statement Sunday.

"`Officer Veronica Rizzo-Acevedo's death earlier today in a domestic murder-suicide is an awful tragedy for her family, her friends, her colleagues in the Chicago Police Department, and the people of this city,` he said.

"A fire department responder discovered a gun lying under Javier Acevedo's body, and the two were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the law enforcement source.

"Police could be seen saluting as one of the victim’s bodies was removed from the home around 9 a.m."

From the Chicago Tribune...