CPD mourn sudden death of Deputy Chief after off-duty medical emergency

Chicago police are grieving following the sudden off-duty death of Deputy Chief William Betancourt, who top cop Larry Snelling said "embodied what it meant to be a public servant and great leader."

Early Saturday after a medical emergency while he was off-duty, Betancourt, 60, passed away, Chicago police said.

In an internal memo obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, police Supt. Larry Snelling called the news "difficult."

"Betancourt dedicated his career to serving our city and serving others," Snelling said in the memo.

"No matter what his assignment was, from Police Officer to Deputy Chief, he left it better than he found it," the memo said.

"He will be deeply missed," the memo said.

Betancourt, who formerly led the Ogden District on the city's West Side, made news in March of 2025, when he sent a scathing email during a crack-down on the appearances of some district officers.

Officers were ordered to shave their stubble, wear neutral nail polish colors, avoid “faddish” haircuts,  wear “clean and serviceable” uniforms with no holes or tears, and were forbidden from wearing hoodies underneath or tactical pants.

In October, 2023, Betancourt described to reporters the “senseless act of violence,” carried out by a suspect who shot 15 people during an 'unsanctioned' Halloween party.

A few months earlier, in July of 2023 when Betancourt was district commander of the Odgen District, dozens of immigrants were moved from that station on the West Side a day after officials said they were investigating allegations of sexual misconduct involving officers and at least one immigrant temporarily housed there.