Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Jenista succumbed to injuries suffered six days earlier when his police motorcycle was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of 35th Street and 52nd Avenue (Laramie Avenue). He was attempting to stop a traffic violator when the accident occurred. Patrolman Jenista had served with the Cicero Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife, four sons, brother, and two sisters. His brother also served with the Cicero Police Department at the time of the incident.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four sons, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-6D70F7FC- 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.
Patrolman Jenista gave the Cicero Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cicero community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Jenista.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman James Francis Jenista is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 354 of 1,318 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 26.9% of this state's fallen. That is 4.1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Cicero Police Department, 2 of 5 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Francis Jenista's cause is highlighted.
How James Francis Jenista Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. James Francis Jenista is highlighted in Jul.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cicero Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
