Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Jim Crowley succumbed to injuries he received on September 4, 1987, when a drunk driver struck his patrol car.
Patrolman Crowley, Patrolman William Morrison, and three other officers were working special assignment for Public Housing North and were en route to a call of a juvenile with a gun. While traveling westbound on 15th Street, a car traveling northbound on Ashland Avenue broadsided their patrol car at 8:15 p.m.
Three officers were taken to local hospitals and released. Patrolman Morrison was pronounced dead on arrival at Cook County Hospital. Patrolman Crowley was transported to the University of Illinois Research Hospital with severe head trauma. Due to his injuries, he was unable to walk and was confined to a wheelchair. He passed away from his injuries almost 37 years later.
The driver was convicted of reckless homicide and driving under the influence and was sentenced to three years.
Patrolman Crowley had served with the Chicago Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother, sister, two nephews, and two nieces.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-96E274DA- 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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Crowley gave the Chicago Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Crowley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James Crowley 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 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 Crowley's cause is highlighted.
How James Crowley Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 3 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Crowley is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Crowley was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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