While it may not be common for police officers to wear bulletproof vests when they're off-duty, one cop in Illinois is likely happy he did after he was shot in the chest on Monday.
The gunfire, according to Oak Lawn Police, rang out around noon in an industrial area where the the unidentified sergeant was working a non-police-related security detail.
Police said an employee of the business got into a verbal argument with other employees. The off-duty sergeant along with another guard responded to the altercation.
Eventually, the situation escalated when the instigating employee pulled out a semi-automatic handgun from an inside coat pocket, police said. He loaded his gun and began firing at the off-duty sergeant.
The other security guard shot at least one round at the suspect.
The off-duty sergeant was hit several times, once in the leg and multiple bullets ricocheting off his kevlar vest.
At one point, the suspect's gun became jammed, allowing the sergeant and other guard to physically subdue him, police said.
The sergeant was able to apply a tourniquet to his wounded leg and was transported to an area hospital. Because he was wearing a bulletproof vest, he suffered only minor injuries to his chest. However, he's being treated for an injury to his leg in a local hospital.
The second security guard suffered minor injuries but refused medical attention.
The suspect was placed into custody. Charges are pending.
Nearby Richards High School was placed in a brief lockdown during the police response.