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Steven Mitchell
Incident
Patrol Officer Steven Mitchell died the following day after being stabbed repeatedly when he and his partner responded to a suspicious person call. He and his partner briefly spoke with the complainant to obtain a description of the prowler and began a search. Officer Mitchell knocked at the front door of a house at 1501 East 56th Street while his partner checked the rear of the location. The occupant responded to Officer Mitchell's knock and stepped outside to talk to Officer Mitchell. He turned toward the street, took a 14-inch kitchen knife from his waistband, and attacked Officer Mitchell from the rear. Officer Mitchell, although mortally wounded, continued to struggle with the suspect. The man gained control of Officer Mitchell's service weapon and used it to shoot his partner. Despite his wounds, Officer Mitchell continued to search for the suspect after retrieving his partner's service weapon. Officer Mitchell died the following day of his wounds. The suspect was apprehended but was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Officer Mitchell was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the University of Chicago Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his son.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Patrol Officer Mitchell gave the University of Chicago Police Department 5 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Steven Mitchell served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Steven is the only officer of University of Chicago Police Department remembered here.
Steven is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Steven is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Steven 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 1983, 6 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Steven was 33. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Steven had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Steven was 33. 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. Steven had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Steven was 33. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Steven had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at University of Chicago Police Department. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.1% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Steven Mitchell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Steven Mitchell’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
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