Third person charged in murder of retired Chicago Police sergeant

A third man has been charged in connection with the murder of a retired Chicago Police sergeant last March.

Nicholas Heisler / photo from Chicago Police

Nicholas Heisler, 20, of Hammond, Ind., was charged with murder and two counts of home invasion in connection with the shooting death of 73-year-old Elmer Brown in Hegewisch, police announced late Wednesday. He is scheduled to appear in bond court Thursday.

Jeremy Mendez, 16, of Whiting, Ind., and Jesse Kazmierski, 18, of Hammond, Ind., were previously arrested and charged with murder and home invasion. Both are being held without bond.

Believing Brown and his wife had a lot of money in a safe, the three allegedly drove from Indiana to Chicago on March 10 hoping to get their hands on the loot.

But they ended up leaving without the cash, instead fleeing with the Browns’ other property, including a handgun and a knife, Assistant State’s Attorney Jamie Santini said.

Brown, who was shot once in the face at his home, at East 115th Street and South Avenue G, died two weeks later.

The 38-year Chicago Police veteran’s wife had been lying face down on the ground when she heard a gunshot, Santini said.

When the 72-year-old woman looked up, she saw her husband lying in the hallway.

The assailant holding the weapon allegedly told Brown’s wife, “Keep your head down bitch or I’ll f––—- blow your head off too.”

Prosecutors said it was unclear who pulled the trigger because Mendez and Kazmierski made their way inside the residence with sweatshirts pulled tightly around their faces.

The couple was watching television when Mendez and Kazmierski rang the doorbell, Santini said.

“Help, we need help,” one of the two allegedly said.

Brown’s wife was opening the screen door when Kazmierski and Mendez pushed their way inside, knocking the elderly woman to the floor, Santini said.

They demanded to know where the safe was and Brown told them it was located upstairs, Santini said.

However, the suspect who ransacked the home ended up coming downstairs, telling the other, “I can’t get it, Let’s get out of here,” Santini said.

The trio fled back to Indiana after the crime, Santini said.