On-duty AFSCME members injured

Two Cook County sheriff’s police officers, both members of AFSCME Local 2264, were hit by a drunk driver while on-duty late on Tuesday, December 5th.

Officer Matthias Vlahos was making a routine traffic stop on I-90 near Arlington Heights Road, on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, when Officer Matthew Coffey pulled up in his squad car to back him up.

While still in his squad car, Officer Coffey was struck from behind by a drunk driver.

According to Local 2264 President Kelly Stott, Officer Coffey had to be extricated from the demolished vehicle and is still in the hospital after sustaining multiple injuries, including broken ribs, head trauma and a shoulder injury that requires surgery. Officer Vlahos was taken to the hospital for care and released.

Local 2264 is collecting donations to aid Officer Coffey’s family—his wife and five young children.

“Coffey is going to be able to come back to work,” Stott said, “but it will be a long road to recovery for him.”

The man who crashed into the squad cars was also taken to the hospital. He was charged with a single count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily harm. He was released on bail and will appear before court on January 4.