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Incident
Investigator Temo Estrada was shot and killed while intervening in a robbery, near the intersection of 30th Street and St. Charles Road in Bellwood, while off duty.
Investigator Estrada was attending a Christmas party at the VFW hall when he stepped outside and observed an armed robbery taking place in the parking lot. He identified himself and was reaching for his service weapon when he was shot once in the chest.
He was transported to Loyola University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Two suspects in connection with Investigator Estrada's murder were apprehended two days later. The shooter was sentenced to 65 years in March 2018, and his accomplice was convicted in 2016, being sentenced to 35 years which formally started in 2018.
Investigator Estrada was a U.S. Marine Corps Operation Desert Storm veteran and had served with the Cook County Sheriff's Office for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, two daughters, and three grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Cuauhtemoc is one person.
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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.
Investigator II Estrada gave the Cook County Sheriff's Office 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago 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
Cuauhtemoc Estrada served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1987â1989) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services has lost 8 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Cuauhtemoc is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Cuauhtemoc is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Cuauhtemoc 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 2013, 1 officer at Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 2013, 2 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 99th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 2013, 43 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2013, 49 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Cuauhtemoc was 50. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 58; the middle age was 50. Cuauhtemoc had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 17 years.
Cuauhtemoc was 50. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Cuauhtemoc had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cuauhtemoc was 50. 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. Cuauhtemoc had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cuauhtemoc was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Cuauhtemoc had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 60% of these deaths at Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services, more than any other month. Fridays: 20%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Fridays: 14.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 62.5% of all 8 deaths at Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 40% 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, in 28.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services has 8 officers remembered here, Cuauhtemoc among them.
Where
Military Service
Cuauhtemoc Estrada served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1987–1989) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Cuauhtemoc Estrada’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 5-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services are honored on badge.nw.
