Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Cornelius Wilson was shot and killed while questioning robbery suspects at 37th and State Streets in Chicago. Patrolman Wilson was walking home after his tour of duty when he observed three men suspected of committing a series of armed robberies. Officer Wilson approached and asked a few questions. Without warning, two of the men produced handguns and began firing. Officer Wilson was able to return fire, killing one of his assailants. A motorist took Officer Wilson to Provident Hospital, but his wounds were fatal. The two remaining suspects confessed to killing Patrolman Wilson. One suspect was convicted of felony murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in Joliet Prison. The second suspect was sentenced to life imprisonment; the prison is unknown. Patrolman Wilson had served four years with the Chicago Police Department and was the first black Chicago Police Officer killed in the line of duty. Patrolman Wilson was survived by his wife and parents. He is buried at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Campbellsville, Kentucky.
Survivors
Patrolman Wilson was survived by his wife and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-254CCBEB- 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.
Patrolman Wilson gave the Chicago Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Wilson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Cornelius Wilson 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. Cornelius Wilson's cause is highlighted.
How Cornelius Wilson Compares
Offender Outcome
One killed; two sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Cornelius Wilson is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Cornelius Wilson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
