Melvin Cohen
Agency patch
Patrolman

Melvin Cohen

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Veteran → Accident
End of Watch December 7, 1971
Age 38
Tour of Duty 16 yrs
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Melvin Cohen was killed after his three-wheel motorcycle struck an elevated railroad track pillar in front of 4702 West Lake Street while he was pursuing a speeding motorist. During the chase, Patrolman Cohen braked to avoid traffic and struck the pillar. The motorist being pursued was never located. Patrolman Cohen was a veteran of the Illinois National Guard. He had served with the Chicago Police Department for 16 years and was assigned to Traffic Area 5.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, one daughter, one son, his mother and two sisters.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Cohen gave the Chicago Police Department 16 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 7, 1971
Tour of Duty 16 yrs
Age 38
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident
Weapon Automobile

Military Service

Melvin Cohen served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

The Sacrifice · Accident

Melvin is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1971, 79 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 29th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Melvin was 38. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Melvin had served 16 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Melvin among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Melvin Cohen

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch December 7, 1971

Military Service

Melvin Cohen served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.

Visit Melvin Cohen’s page on salute.nw →

His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.

Where the Name Is Cut

Also Remembered

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