Rockford Police Officer Patrice Turner (WTTW News)

Chicago police officials have long admitted they struggle solving homicides, but a city just west of Chicago has seen an almost miraculous improvement in its homicide clearance rate – and it coincides with a different approach to policing.

This undated booking photo released by Illinois Department of Corrections shows Floyd E. Brown.  (Illinois Department of Corrections via AP)

An Illinois man facing federal murder charges in the killing of a sheriff’s deputy now faces state charges, as well. A grand jury indicted Floyd Brown on 75 counts, including 60 counts of first-degree murder.

This undated booking photo released by Illinois Department of Corrections shows Floyd E. Brown.  (Illinois Department of Corrections via AP)

Floyd E. Brown pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal charges accusing him of fatally shooting 35-year-old McHenry County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Keltner.

This undated booking photo released by Illinois Department of Corrections shows Floyd E. Brown.  (Illinois Department of Corrections via AP)

Floyd E. Brown of Springfield is charged with first-degree murder in the death of McHenry County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Keltner. 

Area law enforcement vehicles gather near the scene of a shooting in Rockford, Ill., Thursday, March 7, 2019. (Ken DeCoster / Rockford Register Star via AP)

A man suspected of fatally shooting a sheriff’s deputy and wounding a woman at an Illinois hotel was taken into custody Thursday after an hours-long standoff.