Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Cooley succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on January 23rd, 1927, after he was approached by two victims who informed him they had just been robbed. Patrolman Cooley located the suspect at the intersection of 29th Street and Prairie Avenue. The man drew a gun and fired killing Patrolman Cooley. The 43-year-old suspect was tried for murder and acquitted after witnesses to the murder were discredited at his trial.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-1D9AC7BE- 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 James. Claim this record.
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Cooley served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cooley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James Cooley 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. James Cooley's cause is highlighted.
How James Cooley Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Cooley is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Cooley was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
