Roll of Honor
Edward James Loftus
Incident
Correctional Officer Edward Loftus succumbed to injuries suffered when he was beaten by three inmates during an escape attempt at the Whiteside County Jail on November 23, 1960. The three youths beat him when he entered their cell to check on one who the other two said was sick. A jail employee ended the attack when he threatened them with a shotgun. Officer Loftus was transported to a hospital where he remained for several days. When released he stayed in declining health, dying in his home eight years later. The coroner reported his death was the result of the beating. Correctional Officer Loftus had served with the Whiteside County Sheriff's Department for 23 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IL-1DB5B083- 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
23 years. You could have gone home.
Correctional Officer Loftus gave the Whiteside County Sheriff's Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Morrison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Loftus.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Correctional Officer Edward James Loftus 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Edward James Loftus's cause is highlighted.
How Edward James Loftus Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward James Loftus is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward James Loftus was killed by person.