Joseph Law, Sr.

Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services — Chicago, IL

Felonious

End of Watch September 21, 1974

Age 58

Tour of Duty 19 yrs

The Vigil Panel 114 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 7

Incident

Deputy Joseph Law was shot and killed while attempting to take action during an off-duty robbery in his apartment building at 4845 South Federal Street in Chicago.

Deputy Law and another man were confronted in an elevator by three armed suspects. Deputy Law was shot in the chest as he attempted to draw his weapon. The suspects fled the scene with Deputy Law's handgun and $3 from the other victim.

The suspect who shot Deputy Law was sentenced to 100 to 300 years in prison.

Deputy Law had served with the Cook County Sheriff's Office for 19 years.

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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.
Deputy Sheriff Law gave the Cook County Sheriff's Office 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Law.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services

Location Chicago, IL

Platform Identity ccsodcsso.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 21, 1974

Tour of Duty 19 yrs

Age 58

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to 100 years

Deputy Sheriff Joseph Law, Sr. 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 Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.

Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services

of 8 officers

62.5% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious