The police gave him a farewell fit for a hero; after all he had given his life in the line of duty.
Fox Lake Lieutenant Charles Joseph Gliniewicz of Illinois died two months ago and it would have been hard to guess that the ex-Army veteran was a criminal with a mind of a genius.
In the days that followed his demise a rigorous manhunt ensued looking for his killers.
Little did the community know that even in death, he had tried to cheat the civilians who he had vowed to serve.
G.I. Joe, as he was lovingly called by his colleagues, had staged his own death. He had sketched an elaborate plot that made the incident look like murder.
He had years of practice recreating crime scenes for trainees and that knowledge came in handy when he decided to commit suicide.
Just moments prior to his death, Gliniewicz radioed that he was running on foot after three dubious-looking men.
He went through extensive lengths for to look like he died after a struggle, he even shot himself twice in the torso. His body was found about 50 yards from his squad car.
Unfortunately, the crimes he committed when alive only fully came to light after he was no more.
The 52-year-old had been in charge of the police department’s youth program known as the Fox Lake Police Explorer Program.
The initiative had a budget of at least $250,000 – for seven years Gliniewicz stole from it.
Lake County Major Crimes Task Force Commander George Filenko said he treated the deposit as his “personal bank account”.
He spent lavishly, laundering a five figure amount that was spent on adult websites, holidays, gym memberships, mortgage payments amongst other endeavors.
According to the Commander, he forged signatures to “acquire surplus federal equipment at the official police Explorer documents”.
“Gliniewicz committed the ultimate betrayal to the citizens he served and the entire law enforcement community.
The facts of his actions prove he behaved for years in a manner completely contrary to the image he portrayed,” said Filenko.
Ironically, the purpose of the Explorer program is to teach youth about what it’s like to work for the police.
In addition to this communication via text messages, which he had managed to delete from his work phone, indicated that he was hoping the new village administrator, Anne Marrin, who had taken over six months ago, would get a DUI as he had developed issues with her.
There was also mention of closing bank account to avoid being caught.
Gliniewicz also had two other accomplices, but Filenko refused to reveal their identity - if rumors in the community are anything to go by they are probably members of law enforcement as well.
Watch the video below: