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Joseph J. Cushman
Incident
Corrections Employee Joseph Cushman was bludgeoned to death by an inmate making an escape from the Menard Correctional Center. Corrections Employee Cushman, who was an agricultural worker at the center, was found murdered after an inmate had stolen his pickup truck to make his escape. The inmate, who had been serving a 25-to-45-year sentence for murder at the time of the attack, was captured a few weeks later, convicted, and sentenced to life. He hanged himself in his cell on December 12, 1988. Corrections Employee Cushman had served with the Illinois Department of Corrections for 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife of 32 years, a daughter, and four sons.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Corrections Employee Cushman gave the Illinois Department of Corrections 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Corrections Employee Cushman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Illinois Department of Corrections has lost 32 officers; 27 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1982, 1 officer at Illinois Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1965, with 3.
In 1982, 8 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1982, 122 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1982, 142 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 35th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 52. Of the 25 killed feloniously at Illinois Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 37 and 50; the middle age was 45. Joseph had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Joseph was 52. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 52. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 7.4% of these deaths at Illinois Department of Corrections; November holds the most, 18.5%. Sundays: 18.5%.
October holds 8.2% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 84.4% of all 32 deaths at Illinois Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 18.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was blunt object, in 1.1% of these deaths.
His people
Illinois Department of Corrections has 32 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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Joseph T. Clark May 8, 1864
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Henry Sims Jun 14, 1913
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Charles A. Krueger Sep 7, 1919
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James Otis McMurray
Dec 9, 1920
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John Sullivan Jones Jun 15, 1922
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Peter N. Klein
May 5, 1926
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Friebert F. Jahnke Oct 24, 1933
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Zoeth C. Skaggs Nov 24, 1944
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Arthur L. Kisro
Nov 23, 1965
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Lewis M. Paul
Nov 23, 1965
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George L. Wilson
Nov 23, 1965
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William E. McCasling Nov 10, 1967
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Leonard Tatro Jan 19, 1968
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Rufus C. Campbell Apr 18, 1970
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Robert Jefferson Apr 1, 1971
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James P. Zeiger
Jan 11, 1973
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Peter Beckett Burd
Jan 10, 1977
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Robert J. Conkle
Jul 22, 1978
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William Nelson Thomas
Jul 22, 1978
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Stanley E. Cole
Jul 22, 1978
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Joseph J. Cushman
Oct 24, 1982
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Frieda Belle King
Feb 8, 1983
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Cecil H. Harbison
Nov 30, 1984
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Virdeen Willis, Jr.
Jun 30, 1985
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Henry B. Washington
Aug 1, 1986
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Robert L. Taylor
Sep 3, 1987
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Suon Troeung Oct 27, 1988
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Lawrence A. Kush, Jr. Jul 2, 1989
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Kevin P. McGuire
Dec 31, 1996
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Ellane E. Aimiuwu
Feb 7, 2010
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Tracy E. Cooper
Sep 28, 2010
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Andrew John Faught
Apr 8, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 54-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from Illinois Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
