Roll of Honor
George Joseph Turley
Incident
Guard George Turley was beaten to death by a death row inmate during an escape attempt from the Cook County Jail at 26th Street and California Avenue.
The inmate had tricked other guards into letting him out of his cell. He was able to make his way onto the top of the prisoner's outer wall where he encountered Guard Turley, who was in a watchtower. He attacked Guard Turley and beat him to death with his shotgun.
The man then successfully escaped with the shotgun. He remained at large for 48 hours before being taken back into custody. He was was executed on March 14th, 1952, for the original murder he had been convicted of.
Guard Turley was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Cook County Jail for only one month.
Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) August 14th, 2020
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-C1571AB3- 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 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.
Guard Turley served with the Cook County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois, and 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
George Joseph Turley served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Guard George Joseph Turley 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 Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections, 5 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George Joseph Turley's cause is highlighted.
How George Joseph Turley Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1952
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Joseph Turley is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Joseph Turley was killed by blunt object.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
