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Cecil H. Harbison
Incident
Correctional Officer Cecil Harbison was stabbed to death at the Menard Correctional Center at 711 East Kaskaskia Street in Menard. A convicted murderer, who had been indecisive about going to the recreation yard, was left locked in his cell by Correctional Officer Harbison until the other inmates returned later that morning. When Correctional Officer Harbison turned the crank to permit the other inmates back into their cells, the suspect charged him, stabbing him a dozen times with a shank. The inmate was convicted of murder and sentenced to death but later committed suicide in his cell. Correctional Officer Harbison had served with the Illinois Department of Corrections for only six months and would have become certified within a few weeks.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
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.
Correctional Officer Harbison served with the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Harbison.
— 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.
Cecil is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Cecil is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Cecil is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1984, 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 1984, 6 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Cecil was 30. 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. Cecil had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Cecil was 30. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Cecil had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cecil was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Cecil had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Cecil was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Cecil had served 0.5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 18.5% of these deaths at Illinois Department of Corrections, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.8%.
November holds 9.6% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Fridays: 14.6%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 84.4% of all 32 deaths at Illinois Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 44.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.1% 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 edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Illinois Department of Corrections has 32 officers remembered here, Cecil 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 44-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.
