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Incident
Correctional Officer Stanley Cole, Lieutenant William Thomas and Correctional Officer Robert Conkle were killed during a riot at the Pontiac Correctional Center. Around 9:00 am, about 500 inmates were returning to their cells in the North Cell House when a riot erupted. The inmates set fire to several buildings in the complex resulting in an estimated $4 million in damages. Lieutenant Thomas and Correctional Officer Conkle were stabbed with shanks numerous times shortly after the riot began. Correctional Officer Cole was stabbed with a screwdriver. Correctional center staff and Illinois State Police troopers were able to restore order and return the inmates to their cells 11 hours later. Seventeen inmates were charged with the murders of the correctional officers, but none were convicted. Correctional Officer Cole had served with the Illinois Department of Corrections for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his son and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Correctional Officer Cole gave the Illinois Department of Corrections 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Cole.
— 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.
Stanley is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Stanley is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Stanley 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 1978, 3 officers at Illinois Department of Corrections were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1978, 4 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1978, 121 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1978, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Stanley was 47. 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. Stanley had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Stanley was 47. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Stanley had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Stanley was 47. 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. Stanley had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Stanley was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Stanley had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 14.8% of these deaths at Illinois Department of Corrections; November holds the most, 18.5%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
July holds 10.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Saturdays: 15.8%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 84.4% of all 32 deaths at Illinois Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was 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 34,117 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, Stanley 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-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.
