Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Thomas A. Cook was shot and killed while sitting in his patrol car across the street from the Metra Electric Line station at 147th and Clinton Streets in Harvey, Illinois.
He was conducting surveillance on the station, which had seen a recent surge in armed robberies, when a subject walked up to his patrol car and shot him without warning. The subject then stole Officer Cook's service weapon before fleeing.
On January 5th, 2009, authorities charged one of two suspects with three counts of murder. In October 2010 the subject plead guilty to murder for acting as a lookout during Officer Cook's slaying. He also plead guilty to attempted murder for his involvement in a shootout with a Harvey Police Department officer earlier that same day. He received 20 years for each conviction to be served consecutively.
On November 11th, 2010, a second man was charged with the murder of Officer Cook and attempted murder of the Harvey police officer. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 50 years plus 10 years for the attempted murder of the Harvey officer. He said he killed Officer Cook so he could get his gun to replace a gun he lost during the shootout with the Harvey officer. On March 31st, 2016, he was sentenced to life in prison for Officer Cook's murder.
Officer Cook was a U.S. Army veteran. He had served with the Metra Transit Police Department for three years and previously served with the Riverdale Police Department for nine years. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, brother, and sister. His brother serves with the Cook County Sheriff's Office and his father served as chief of the Riverdale Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-7F631EB0- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Cook gave the Metra Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas Alan Cook served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Thomas Alan Cook 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 Metra Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas Alan Cook's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas Alan Cook Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas Alan Cook is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas Alan Cook was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Metra Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
