Joseph Isola
Agency patch
Park Police Officer

Joseph Isola

Felonious
End of Watch November 2, 1935
Age 45
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
Badge 653
The Vigil Panel 70 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Park Police Officer Joseph Isola was shot and killed while attempting to arrest an armed robbery suspect in a tavern on N. Ada Street near W. Washington Boulevard. Officer Isola was walking his beat when a man ran up to him and informed him of the robbery in progress. Officer Isola rushed to the tavern where he encountered two suspects severely beating an employee. One of the men drew a handgun and shot Officer Isola in the chest. He was transported to a local hospital where he died the following day. Officer Isola had served with the Chicago Park District Police Department for 15 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two children, parents, and six siblings.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-B1F4DFA1
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Park Police Officer Isola gave the Chicago Park District Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Police Officer Isola.

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

Agency

Location Chicago, IL
Platform Identity cpdpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 2, 1935
Tour of Duty 15 yrs
Age 45
Badge Number 653
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Not available

Park Police Officer Joseph Isola 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 Park District Police Department, 8 of 13 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.5% of this agency's fallen.

Chicago Park District Police Department
8
of 13 officers
61.5% Felonious
IL — Statewide
842
of 1,318 officers
63.9% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Isola's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Joseph Isola Compares

Age at End of Watch
45
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
15
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Not available

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Isola is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Isola was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location