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Incident
Correctional Officer Tracy Cooper died from complications during corrective surgery he was undergoing to repair an injury suffered while struggling with a juvenile inmate eight months earlier.
Correctional Officer Cooper had escorted the convicted felon to a court appearance in Cook County. The presiding judge ordered the inmate's restraints be removed during the hearing. Upon their removal, the inmate attempted to escape from the courtroom. Correctional Officer Cooper immediately subdued the inmate but tore his left rotator cuff when they fell to the ground.
During surgery to repair the injury, Correctional Officer Cooper never regained consciousness and passed away the following day.
Correctional Officer Cooper had served with the Illinois Department of Corrections for 15 years and was assigned to the Stateville Correctional Center.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Cooper gave the Illinois Department of Corrections 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Cooper.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Illinois Department of Corrections has lost 32 officers; 27 of them killed feloniously.
Tracy is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Tracy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Tracy is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2010, 1 officer at Illinois Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1965, with 3.
In 2010, 5 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 2010, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2010, 85 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 80th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Tracy was 42. Of the 25 killed feloniously at Illinois Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 37 and 50; the middle age was 45. Tracy had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Tracy was 42. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Tracy had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Tracy was 42. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Tracy had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Tracy was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Tracy had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 11.1% of these deaths at Illinois Department of Corrections; November holds the most, 18.5%. Tuesdays: 22.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 84.4% of all 32 deaths at Illinois Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 18.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Illinois Department of Corrections has 32 officers remembered here, Tracy among them.
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Joseph T. Clark May 8, 1864
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Henry Sims Jun 14, 1913
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Charles A. Krueger Sep 7, 1919
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James Otis McMurray
Dec 9, 1920
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John Sullivan Jones Jun 15, 1922
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Peter N. Klein
May 5, 1926
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Friebert F. Jahnke Oct 24, 1933
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Zoeth C. Skaggs Nov 24, 1944
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Arthur L. Kisro
Nov 23, 1965
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Lewis M. Paul
Nov 23, 1965
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George L. Wilson
Nov 23, 1965
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William E. McCasling Nov 10, 1967
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Leonard Tatro Jan 19, 1968
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Rufus C. Campbell Apr 18, 1970
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Robert Jefferson Apr 1, 1971
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James P. Zeiger
Jan 11, 1973
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Peter Beckett Burd
Jan 10, 1977
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Robert J. Conkle
Jul 22, 1978
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William Nelson Thomas
Jul 22, 1978
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Stanley E. Cole
Jul 22, 1978
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Joseph J. Cushman
Oct 24, 1982
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Frieda Belle King
Feb 8, 1983
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Cecil H. Harbison
Nov 30, 1984
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Virdeen Willis, Jr.
Jun 30, 1985
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Henry B. Washington
Aug 1, 1986
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Robert L. Taylor
Sep 3, 1987
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Suon Troeung Oct 27, 1988
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Lawrence A. Kush, Jr. Jul 2, 1989
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Kevin P. McGuire
Dec 31, 1996
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Ellane E. Aimiuwu
Feb 7, 2010
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Tracy E. Cooper
Sep 28, 2010
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Andrew John Faught
Apr 8, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from Illinois Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
