Campus News

President Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D., has shared the following message with the Rockford University campus community regarding the tragic events that took place near the University’s campus in the early morning hours of Sunday, November 5. Rockford University was put on lock down for approximately six hours following an incident on Dawn Avenue and that resulted in the death of Rockford Police Officer Jaimie Cox and another individual, Mr. Eddie Patterson. More information regarding the ongoing investigation can be found on the Rockford Police Department’s Facebook page.

Dear Rockford University Community, 

I extend my personal thanks to the Rockford University community for your patience and forbearance during the overnight lock down of campus.  As I write this, many of the details regarding the deaths of Rockford Police Officer Jaimie Cox and Mr. Eddie Patterson are still unknown. 

Due to the close proximity of the events to campus, the University was put on lock down immediately following the incident. We instituted protocols spelled out in our Emergency Response Policy to ensure the safety of our campus community. Thankfully, there were no further actions required and the lock down was lifted at approximately 7:30 a.m.  I am grateful to the Rockford Police and surrounding departments, the Rockford University Department of Police and Public Safety,  and our residence life staff for collectively ensuring the safety of our campus community during the lock down.

We will learn more about the incident as the Winnebago-Boone County Integrity Task Force conducts its investigation.  In the meantime, I invite your prayers for the families of Officer Cox and Mr. Patterson.

If there are additional pertinent details, we will communicate to you through periodic email messages and posts to the University portal.  

Sincerely, 
Eric W. Fulcomer, Ph.D.
President