Prev
Cornelius E. Cross
Incident
Location: Nebraska Weapon: Handgun; .44 caliber Offender: Apprehended
Special Agent Cornelius Cross was shot and killed when he confronted three men stealing from a box-car at the Cuming Street crossing in the Omaha, Nebraska, freight yards at 2:00 am.
When he encountered the men he told them stop and one of them immediately complied. Another jumped out of the box car and began to attack Special Agent Cross, who was able to fend him off. As Special Agent Cross chased the man around the box car the third suspect opened fire, striking him twice. He was able to return fire and wound one of the suspects.
Several suspects were apprehended. In their possession were items that had been taken in several previous train robberies and burglaries. Two men were convicted of Agent Cross' murder. One was sentenced to life. He died in prison on February 11, 1920. The other suspect was sentenced to one to 20 years.
Special Agent Cross had been with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department for only three months.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnkb7p62yxk8j97vs6h5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Cornelius. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Cross served with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Cross.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department has lost 18 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Cornelius is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Cornelius is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Cornelius is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1917, 2 officers at Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 3.
In 1917, 18 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1917, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Cornelius was 23. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 37. Cornelius had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
Cornelius was 23. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Cornelius had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cornelius was 23. 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 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cornelius was 23. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Cornelius had served 0.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 14.3% of these deaths at Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department; November holds the most, 21.4%. Sundays: 21.4%.
January holds 7.4% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 18 deaths at Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .44 caliber, in 7.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .44 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .44 caliber, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .44 caliber, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department has 18 officers remembered here, Cornelius among them.
-
Dennis E. Riley Dec 21, 1898
-
Charles E. Dillon
Nov 20, 1902
-
Edward L. Spielman Apr 9, 1912
-
John W. Kamphouse Nov 1, 1912
-
Cornelius E. Cross
Jan 21, 1917
-
Charles Crill
Mar 17, 1917
-
Hugh J. Ennis Mar 28, 1921
-
Maurice Leahy, Jr.
Jul 29, 1921
-
Louis A. Gustafson Sep 27, 1921
-
Robert G. Murray
Oct 14, 1921
-
John Harrison Bousman Aug 10, 1922
-
Allen F. Shoemaker
May 17, 1925
-
Michael T. Murphy Jul 5, 1928
-
Emmet B. Keen
Dec 28, 1929
-
Nicholas John Malambri Jan 11, 1931
-
Glen R. Bright
Nov 16, 1973
-
John H. Horst
Apr 28, 1975
-
Charles L. Moeller
Dec 9, 1979
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
