Cornelius Wilson
Agency patch
Patrolman

Cornelius Wilson

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch May 1, 1919
Age 29
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Badge 2902
The Vigil Panel 37 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Cornelius Wilson was shot and killed while questioning robbery suspects at 37th and State Streets in Chicago. Patrolman Wilson was walking home after his tour of duty when he observed three men suspected of committing a series of armed robberies. Officer Wilson approached and asked a few questions. Without warning, two of the men produced handguns and began firing. Officer Wilson was able to return fire, killing one of his assailants. A motorist took Officer Wilson to Provident Hospital, but his wounds were fatal. The two remaining suspects confessed to killing Patrolman Wilson. One suspect was convicted of felony murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in Joliet Prison. The second suspect was sentenced to life imprisonment; the prison is unknown. Patrolman Wilson had served four years with the Chicago Police Department and was the first black Chicago Police Officer killed in the line of duty. Patrolman Wilson was survived by his wife and parents. He is buried at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

Survivors

Patrolman Wilson was survived by his wife and parents.

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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Wilson gave the Chicago Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wilson.

— 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 May 1, 1919
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 29
Badge Number 2902
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Cornelius is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 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 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Cornelius was 29. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Cornelius had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Cornelius Wilson

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch May 1, 1919

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E

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