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Retired Chicago Police Sergeant Dies 2 Weeks After Home Invasion

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A retired Chicago police sergeant who went blind from diabetes has died, two weeks after he was shot during a home invasion in the East Side neighborhood.

Elmer Brown, 73, died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn early Monday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.

He was shot in the neck two weeks ago, when two intruders dressed in hooded sweatshirts broke into his home near 115th Street and Avenue G, and demanded to know where he kept his safe. Although Brown complied with the intruders' demands, they shot him anyway. His wife, who was also home at the time, was not shot.

Retired Cop Dies 2 Weeks After Shooting During Home Invasion

Brown was a police officer for 38 years before he retired as a sergeant. He suffered from diabetes, which caused him go go blind.

"He was a wonderful father and husband," said his wife, Mary Ann Brown.

Brown had been under sedation since he was shot.

The couple's home burned down a few years ago, only to be rebuilt.

Neighbor Tim Wedryk said his children referred to the retired sergeant and his wife as grandpa and grandma.

"They're great people. We enjoy coming over to visit them, and they've just had a hard time with life," he said.

A police squad car was parked outside the couple's home Tuesday morning to stand guard.

No one was in custody as of late Tuesday morning.

--The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.

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