Roll of Honor
Cornelius E. "Neil" 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
BO-US-RR-AE24B5FF- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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
Special Agent Cornelius E. "Neil" Cross is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department, 14 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 77.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Cornelius E. "Neil" Cross's cause is highlighted.
How Cornelius E. "Neil" Cross Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Cornelius E. "Neil" Cross is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Cornelius E. "Neil" Cross was killed by handgun; .44 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
