Illinois State Police are seeking public assistance in locating the driver of a red Dodge full-size pick-up truck which was involoved in a police chase on Tuesday that resulted in the death of a Cowden Police Officer.

On August 10, at approximately 6:41pm a theft of $100 worth of diesel fuel was reported in Staunton. The male suspect in the incident is described as short and stocky with dark or olive colored skin and dark hair. The diesel pick-up is described as having a raised chassis and oversized wheels with no license plates.

At approximately 8:02pm, a Cowden police officer was pursuing the vehicle believed to be involved in the theft in Staunton when the officer lost control of his squad car and rolled it on Illinois Route 128 approximately one mile south of U. S. Route 40 in Effingham County. The officer was ejected from the squad car and pronounced dead at a Greenville hospital. A female trainee officer was also in the squad car and is in stable condition at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the vehicle is asked to contact State Police at 217-347-2711.