Brenda Whitlock, 36, a member of the Colorado Springs Police Department and former U.S. women's wrestling star, died on Thursday, July 5.    According to the Colorado Springs Gazette, Whitlock, "Colorado Springs' first female SWAT team officer shot and killed herself Thursday afternoon after leading fellow police officers on a chase through downtown."    Whitlock was an eight-year veteran of the Colorado Springs Police Department, and had worked in law enforcement for over a decade.     She is survived by her husband, Sgt. David Whitlock, who is also a Colorado Springs Police Department officer; plus her parents, Bruce Day and Barbara Rollings; a sister, Melissa Lozon, and a maternal grandmother, Margaret Rollings. She was preceded in death by a sister, Debbie Day.    "USA Wrestling is deeply saddened by the loss of Brenda Whitlock," said Bruce Baumgartner, USA Wrestling President. "She was an outstanding competitor and a true pioneer for women's wrestling in our nation. She will be missed by the wrestling community. We offer our sincere condolences to her family and friends and to those who knew her through wrestling and the Olympic sports family."    Whitlock, who wrestled under her maiden name Brenda Day, placed fifth in the 1995 Women's World Wrestling Championships at 116.5 pounds, and won U.S. Nationals titles in 1994, 1995 and 1996. She was named Outstanding Wrestler at the 1995 U.S. National Wrestling Championships in the women's division.     She competed on the 1995 U.S. Women's World Team, which competed in Moscow, Russia. She placed fifth in her weight class. The team placed fourth in the 1995 World Championships, and was coached by Mike Duroe, USA Wrestling's current National Women's Coach.    "She was a fierce competitor," said Duroe. "She had a very disciplined approach to the sport. She was always very dedicated. She commanded respect from the other women, because she was so tough and so intense and so dedicated."    Whitlock was involved on the national level in many sports during her life, competing also in judo and cycling prior to her wrestling career. She was a graduate of Palmer High School in Colorado Springs.    Whitlock was a pioneer in women's wrestling, competing on the men's wrestling team while an undergrad at Northern Illinois Univ., one of the first women to ever wrestle on the college level. She has many friends within the wrestling community across the nation.    "Brenda was mentally tough," said Duroe. "She was one of the pioneers. She went out on the limb, wrestling in college in the mid 80's when women just did not wrestle. She portrayed a tough exterior; underneath she was sweet and considerate, always willing to help people."    "Most recently, we got together in May to get on the mat and work out again," said Duroe. "The last time we spoke, she was seriously considering getting back into it, with the thought that women's wrestling might be in the Olympics. She was always in superior condition. If anybody could do it, come back at 36 years old, it was her."    Breaking down barriers and taking on challenges was something that Whitlock achieved throughout her life, not just in athletics but also in her career. Besides becoming the first female member of the SWAT team, Whitlock also served on the department's bomb squad.    "That shows that a lot of dedication and desire to overcome any barriers -- physical or gender-related -- that might have been there in the past," Police spokesman Lt. Skip Arms said to the Gazette.    According to Lt. Arms, the department has been informed that plans are for a private memorial ceremony with family.    Her husband David Whitlock contacted USA Wrestling and requested that memorial donations be made to USA Wrestling. People can send donations to the Brenda Day Whitlock Memorial, USA Wrestling, 6155 Lehman Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918.    David Whitlock requested that her friends in the sport and the wrestling community remember Brenda for her athletic skills and her many championships.