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James F. Day
Agency patch
Lieutenant

James F. Day

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Cardiac
United States flag Illinois flag
End of Watch September 19, 1934
Age 71
Tour of Duty 43 yrs
Badge 261
The Vigil Panel 68 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 570

Incident

Lieutenant James F. Day suffered a fatal heart attack after being attacked during a robbery. Shortly after 11:30 p.m., Lieutenant Day was robbed and beaten. His body was found early the next morning in a vacant lot near 8545 South Green Street, within 100 yards of the Gresham Station where he was assigned. Evidence showed Lieutenant Day put up a fight for his life when he was attacked as his right hand was severely bruised. Although death was caused by a heart attack, Lieutenant Day was struck many times on the head and body with a club. Lieutenant Day's pockets were turned inside out, and his wallet was gone when he was found. His widow reported that he cashed his paycheck and had a large sum of money when he left his home for work. His revolver was still in his coat pocket. Lieutenant James Day had served with the Chicago Police Department for 43 years. He was survived by his wife, five daughters, and three sons. His grandson and great-grandson retired from the Chicago Police Department, and two of his great-great-grandsons are currently serving with the Chicago Police Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, five daughters, and three 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

43 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Day gave the Chicago Police Department 43 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Day.

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

Agency

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

Service Record

End of Watch September 19, 1934
Tour of Duty 43 yrs
Age 71
Badge Number 261
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

The Sacrifice · Cardiac

James is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1934, 8 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 72nd heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 71. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. James had served 43 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

September holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Wednesdays: 14.5%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, James among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Lieutenant James F. Day

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch September 19, 1934

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 10-W

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