Chicago Cop Michael Bailey Shot to Death, 3rd Killed on Duty in Two Months

CHICAGO (CBS/AP) Twenty-year Chicago police veteran Michael Bailey was shot and killed outside his home early Sunday morning, just one month before turning 63, the mandatory retirement age for Chicago police.

Officer Bailey returned home after his shift and began cleaning his new car, which he bought himself as an early retirement gift, reports CBS affiliate WBBM. At that time, a group of people approached him, apparently in an attempt to steal the new vehicle.

According to the station, police say as many as three suspects opened fire on the officer during the altercation.

Bailey was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

No arrests have been made.

Officer Bailey was on duty guarding the home of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, before the incident. "This is a tragic, stunning reminder of the senseless violence that stalks too many of our neighborhoods. Another Chicago police officer gunned down, this time just weeks before leaving a long career of protecting Chicago. It's absolutely outrageous," said Mayor Daley.

Officer Bailey is the third Chicago officer killed in the line of duty in the past two months. Officer Thor Soderberg, 43, was killed with his own weapon on July 7 outside a police building on the south side. Officer Thomas Wortham IV, 30, was shot and killed outside his parents' house on May 19 when a group of men tried to steal his motorcycle. Suspects in both cases have been charged with murder.