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Frieda Belle King
Incident
Correctional Officer Frieda King was stabbed to death with a 12-inch long butcher knife by an inmate near the cold storage area of the kitchen at the Pontiac Correctional Center. The inmate was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On January 11, 2003, the outgoing governor granted clemency to all 167 Illinois death row inmates as one of his last acts in office. The inmate's sentence was commuted to life without parole. Correctional Officer King had served with the Illinois Department of Corrections for over two years. She was survived by three daughters, four sons, seven sisters, four brothers and three grandchildren. Correctional Officer King is the first known female law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty in the state of Illinois.
Survivors
She was survived by three daughters, four sons, seven sisters, four brothers and three grandchildren.
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 King gave the Illinois Department of Corrections 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer King.
— 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.
Frieda is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Frieda is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frieda 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 1983, 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 1983, 6 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frieda was 50. 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. Frieda had served 2.2 years; the middle length of service was 3.5 years.
Frieda was 50. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Frieda had served 2.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frieda was 50. 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. Frieda had served 2.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frieda was 50. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frieda had served 2.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 3.7% of these deaths at Illinois Department of Corrections; November holds the most, 18.5%. Tuesdays: 22.2%.
February holds 5.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
Her people
Illinois Department of Corrections has 32 officers remembered here, Frieda 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 10-W
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Others Who Wore This Badge
31 officers from Illinois Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
