Roll of Honor
Incident
Guard James McMurray succumbed to injuries suffered the previous day when he was beaten by an inmate at the Stateville Correctional Center. The inmate, who resented an order given him by Guard McMurray, hit him with a brick and then grabbed his cane beating him about the head with it causing his death. The inmate who was being held for another murder died at the Stateville Correctional Center in 1939.
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BO-US-IL-6A7D77AC- Stewardship
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- 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.
Guard McMurray served with the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard McMurray.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Guard James Otis McMurray 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 Illinois Department of Corrections, 27 of 32 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 84.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Otis McMurray's cause is highlighted.
How James Otis McMurray Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison in 1939
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Otis McMurray is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Otis McMurray was killed by blunt object.
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from Illinois Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
