Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable James McElligott succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained four days earlier while attempting to serve a writ of replevin to seize furniture from a woman's home on Rush Street.
He knew of the woman's tendency towards violence so he employed a ruse to gain entry to her home. Once inside the woman recognized him as a constable and went into her basement as he began reading the warrant. She returned from the basement holding a revolver. As he continued to read the warrant the woman shot him once in the abdomen.
Constable McElligott was taken to a local doctor's home for treatment. He was then moved to his own home where his wife and the doctor tended to his wound for the next four days as his condition worsened. He passed away as a result of his wound four days after being shot.
The woman who shot him was acquitted of charges as it was determined the ruse Constable McElligott employed to serve the warrant was considered trespassing.
Constable McElligott had served as the elected constable of Lake Township for only eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-7D040605- 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
149 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable McElligott served with the Lake Township Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable James S. McElligott is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James S. McElligott's cause is highlighted.
How James S. McElligott Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James S. McElligott is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James S. McElligott was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Lake Township Police Department are honored on badge.nw.