James S. Corcoran
Agency patch
Patrolman

James S. Corcoran

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch November 25, 1930
Age 38
Badge 5044
The Vigil Panel 61 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman James Corcoran was shot and killed during an armed robbery in front of a drug store at 2843 Indiana Avenue. He resisted the offender and attempted to make an arrest. A struggle ensued in which the subject fired his revolver striking Patrolman Corcoran. Nine weeks later the suspect was apprehended after one of two women arrested for disorderly conduct told police that the other woman's boyfriend shot Patrolman Corcoran. The man, 34, admitted that he murdered Patrolman Corcoran. Five years earlier he was arrested for the murder of his wife but was released due to a lack of evidence.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-6885A7C5
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Corcoran served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Corcoran.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 25, 1930
Age 38
Badge Number 5044
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Patrolman James S. Corcoran is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,586 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 10 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.

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.

Chicago Police Department
396
of 571 officers
69.4% Felonious
IL — Statewide
842
of 1,318 officers
63.9% Felonious
Nationwide
17,559
of 32,586 officers
53.9% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James S. Corcoran's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,559 (53.9%)
Accident
10,094 (31%)
Illness
3,037 (9.3%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
334 (1%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)

How James S. Corcoran Compares

Age at End of Watch
38
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James S. Corcoran is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James S. Corcoran was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location