Officers involved in shooting are back at work while the investigation continues

While police are not releasing information on the investigation into a fatal officer-involved shooting in Belleville on the Fourth of July, they’ve said the investigation remains open and the Belleville officers involved went back to work about a week after the shooting.

Illinois State Police FOIA officer Erin Davis denied a BND Freedom of Information Act request for reports from the investigation of the shooting that killed 39-year-old Donald Martin. She cited Illinois statutes that noted the release of those documents could interfere with the pending investigation or potential criminal charges that may still be filed.

State’s Attorney Brendan Kelly will make the final determination on whether any criminal charges are filed in this case or not. He said on Thursday that his office has not yet received the results of the police investigation to review.

The three officers involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave directly after the shooting in accordance with department policy, Belleville Police Master Sgt. Todd Keilbach said in July.

Capt. John Moody confirmed Wednesday that those three officers were back on duty approximately one week after the shooting.

He said administrative leave is typically a week or less — but it depends on the officer and each situation.

He added Belleville police leadership would not put anyone on the streets if the department believed they were criminally involved in something.

“If there was anything questionable that we thought was in bad light, something to that effect, of course not,” he said of putting an officer back on duty. “But it’s case by case —and that’s not trying to get ahead of anybody’s investigation or any sort of thing.”

Illinois State Police officials declined to comment on the case.

Martin, 39, fired at officers several times the morning of July 4 and made suicidal comments before a police tactical unit officer shot him, Keilbach said at the time of the shooting.

The Belleville man was taken to a local hospital and was pronounced dead at 1:13 p.m. the same day, according to St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr.

Public records indicate Martin lives at the house where the shooting took place, 623 S. 20th St.

A fourth officer from the Fairmont Police Department also responded to the shooting as part of the St. Clair County Regional Special Response Team.

It was unclear Thursday whether that officer had returned to work.

This story was originally published September 11, 2017 at 8:31 AM with the headline "Officers involved in shooting are back at work while the investigation continues."