Watch CBS News

Man Sentenced To Life In Prison For 2010 Murder Of Chicago Police Officer

(CBS) -- A South Side man convicted of murdering a Chicago police officer in 2010 was sentenced to natural life in prison plus 115 years Wednesday afternoon.

Last month, Bryant Brewer was convicted of murdering Chicago Police Officer Thor Soderberg in the parking lot of a police facility in Englewood on July 7, 2010. Soderberg was shot in the back and point-blank twice in the head with his own gun minutes after getting off work.

CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports it was an emotional day in court.

The wife of Chicago Police officer Thor Soderberg spoke of the man she had only been married to for five years before he was gunned down by Bryant Brewer.

"He was the life in my each of my cells," Jennifer Loudon said. "I had no idea it was possible to lose so much in a single lifetime, much less in a single moment."

Muffled sobs could be heard among the officers, friends and family that filled the courtroom, who came to support Soderberg's widow, Jennifer Loudon, as she read her victim impact statement.

"I lost my future," Loudon said. "I am forever indebted to my family, friends and even strangers who have helped my gather some of the millions of pieces into which my life has shattered."

Soderberg's sister Diane Sainsot also spoke of the void left in her life.

"I will never miss anyone the way I miss my baby brother," she said.

When asked to speak, Brewer rambled nonstop…at times inaudible...saying things like, "When you are killing someone, you love them" along with a variety of expletives and other things that made absolutely no sense.

"Mr. Brewer belongs in a hospital," said defense attorney William Wolf. "It is our contention that he needs mental health treatment."

"It is clear to me that Mr. Brewer chooses to act in the abhorrent manner in which was revealed today," said Judge Timothy Joyce.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.