Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Sergeant Martin Corcoran succumbed to gunshot wounds when he was shot while attempting to arrest two burglars at Waveland Avenue and Broadway Street in Chicago. He had observed two subjects waiting for a streetcar on Waveland Avenue carrying a basket containing jewelry and other stolen items. When Detective Sergeant Corcoran approached them, the men fled, and a foot pursuit ensued. The subjects stopped at Broadway Street, where Sergeant Corcoran started to arrest the men for possession of stolen items. One of the subjects pulled out a gun and shot Sergeant Corcoran. A nearby store owner witnessed the altercation and chased the men as they fled. He fired a shot, wounding the shooter. Detective Sergeant Corcoran succumbed to his wounds two months later. The killer was convicted of murder and hanged on February 28th, 1919. The accomplice was also convicted, but he escaped prison and was never captured. Detective Sergeant Corcoran had served with the Chicago Police Department for over 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, two brothers, and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-0E7EA493- 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.
Detective Sergeant Corcoran gave the Chicago Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Corcoran.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant Martin J. Corcoran 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. Martin J. Corcoran's cause is highlighted.
How Martin J. Corcoran Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1919
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Martin J. Corcoran is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Martin J. Corcoran was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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