James S. Corcoran
Agency patch
Patrolman

James S. Corcoran

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch November 25, 1930
Age 38
Badge 5044
The Vigil Panel 61 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman James Corcoran was shot and killed during an armed robbery in front of a drug store at 2843 Indiana Avenue. He resisted the offender and attempted to make an arrest. A struggle ensued in which the subject fired his revolver striking Patrolman Corcoran. Nine weeks later the suspect was apprehended after one of two women arrested for disorderly conduct told police that the other woman's boyfriend shot Patrolman Corcoran. The man, 34, admitted that he murdered Patrolman Corcoran. Five years earlier he was arrested for the murder of his wife but was released due to a lack of evidence.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw
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.
Patrolman Corcoran served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Corcoran.

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

Agency

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

Service Record

End of Watch November 25, 1930
Age 38
Badge Number 5044
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

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

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1930, 239 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 38. 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.

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

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

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

Patrolman James S. Corcoran

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch November 25, 1930

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E

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