Prev
Steven Paul Carroll
Incident
Correctional Officer Steven Carroll suffered a fatal heart attack in the Stephenson County Courthouse shortly after struggling with a prisoner that he had physically removed from one of the courtrooms.
He suffered a heart attack and collapsed moments after placing the male prisoner in a holding cell.
Officer Carroll had served with the Stephenson County Sheriff's Office for 18 years and was a United States Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, three daughters, four grandchildren, brother and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnmdz44m4cskds4r54qd- 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 Steven. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. Steven is one person.
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 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.
Correctional Officer Carroll gave the Stephenson County Sheriff's Office 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Freeport community. Thank you 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 Paul Carroll served in the the United States military (1971â1978) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Stephenson County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Steven is one of 45 officers lost to cardiac events in IL, 3.4% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Steven is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Steven is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 1 officer in IL was lost to cardiac events, the 11th heaviest of 33 years on record. The heaviest was 1974, with 3.
In 2004, 16 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 2004, 16 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 24th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Steven was 52. Of the 45 lost to cardiac events in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 54; the middle age was 51. Steven had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Steven was 52. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Steven had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Steven was 52. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Steven had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
April holds 11.1% of these deaths in IL; March holds the most, 15.6%. Fridays: 24.4%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Stephenson County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.4% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 31.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
His people
Stephenson County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Steven among them.
Where
Military Service
Steven Paul Carroll served in the U.S. Navy (1971–1978) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Steven Paul Carroll’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 59-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Stephenson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.