$100,000 REWARD OFFERED IN MURDER OF MAYWOOD POLICE OFFICER

Robert D. Grant, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Elvia Williams, Chief of the Maywood, Illinois Police Department (MPD) are asking for the public's help in identifying the individual(s) responsible for the October 23, 2006 murder of MPD Officer Thomas Wood.

A nine year veteran of the MPD, Officer Wood was found shot to death in his marked patrol vehicle near the intersection of 6th Avenue and Erie Street, at the end of his scheduled afternoon shift. Officer Wood was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead after being transported to Loyola Medical Center. Officer Wood, who was a canine officer for the MPD, was seated in the driver's seat of his vehicle with the engine running and the vehicle in gear. Robbery did not appear to be a motive as Officer Wood's weapon and wallet were still on his person.

Officer Wood was active in the MPD's effort to investigate and eliminate gang activity within the village and it is believed that his murder was related to these efforts.

Officer Wood was 37 years of age and is survived by his wife and five children.

A reward of up to $100,000 is being offered by the Village of Maywood for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the person or persons responsible for this crime.

In addition to joining Chief Williams in publicizing this reward offer, Mr. Grant also wants to announce that the FBI will be assisting the MPD, not only with the investigation into Officer Wood's murder, but will also begin investigating gang activity and drug trafficking in the western suburb.

Anyone having any information about the murder of Officer Wood is asked to call the Chicago office of the FBI at (312) 421-6700