Roll of Honor
Incident
Correctional Officer Tracy Cooper died from complications during corrective surgery he was undergoing to repair an injury suffered while struggling with a juvenile inmate eight months earlier.
Correctional Officer Cooper had escorted the convicted felon to a court appearance in Cook County. The presiding judge ordered the inmate's restraints be removed during the hearing. Upon their removal, the inmate attempted to escape from the courtroom. Correctional Officer Cooper immediately subdued the inmate but tore his left rotator cuff when they fell to the ground.
During surgery to repair the injury, Correctional Officer Cooper never regained consciousness and passed away the following day.
Correctional Officer Cooper had served with the Illinois Department of Corrections for 15 years and was assigned to the Stateville Correctional Center.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-625C9340- 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.
Correctional Officer Cooper gave the Illinois Department of Corrections 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Cooper.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Correctional Officer Tracy E. Cooper 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. Tracy E. Cooper's cause is highlighted.
How Tracy E. Cooper Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Tracy E. Cooper is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Tracy E. Cooper was killed by person.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from Illinois Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
