Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Dell Fountain was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance in an apartment in his building on the 3900 block of West Van Buren Street. Officer Fountain's son had been previously threatened by an armed subject who had been arrested after Officer Fountain reported the incident. On March 23rd, 1996, the man again harassed Officer Fountain's son and attempted to keep him front entering the building. The subject, who was involved in narcotics activity and was on supervised release while awaiting trial for murder, knew that Officer Fountain was a police officer. When Officer Fountain confronted the subject a struggle ensued in which the man gained control of Officer Fountain's weapon and shot him. The shot severed an artery in his leg and he died as a result of loss of blood. The subject was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The original conviction was overturned and received a new trial. Officer Fountain had served with the Chicago Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his son, daughter, parents, and seven siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-DB9A4B25- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Fountain gave the Chicago Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Fountain.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Dell Otis Fountain is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Dell Otis Fountain's cause is highlighted.
How Dell Otis Fountain Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Dell Otis Fountain is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Dell Otis Fountain was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
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