Prev
Incident
Park Police Officer Joseph Isola was shot and killed while attempting to arrest an armed robbery suspect in a tavern on N. Ada Street near W. Washington Boulevard. Officer Isola was walking his beat when a man ran up to him and informed him of the robbery in progress. Officer Isola rushed to the tavern where he encountered two suspects severely beating an employee. One of the men drew a handgun and shot Officer Isola in the chest. He was transported to a local hospital where he died the following day. Officer Isola had served with the Chicago Park District Police Department for 15 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, parents, and six siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-CWGC-N2JQ-Nearlier record number BO-US-IL-B1F4DFA1- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Park Police Officer Isola gave the Chicago Park District Police Department 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Police Officer Isola.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago Park District Police Department has lost 13 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1935, 1 officer at Chicago Park District Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 2.
In 1935, 9 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 45. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Chicago Park District Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35.5 and 41; the middle age was 37. Joseph had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Joseph was 45. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 45. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 45. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 37.5% of these deaths at Chicago Park District Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 25%.
November holds 9.6% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 13 deaths at Chicago Park District Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 37.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago Park District Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
-
Joseph Klocek
Oct 8, 1935
-
Joseph Isola
Nov 2, 1935
-
Arthur Swanson
May 21, 1936
-
Frederick Fischer
Oct 22, 1936
-
Bernard B. Klinke
Feb 22, 1937
-
Martin Wolski
Mar 26, 1938
-
Harry Francois
Nov 20, 1939
-
Charles J. Speaker
Jun 30, 1941
-
Charles H. Williams
Dec 10, 1941
-
Spencer Thornton, Jr.
Sep 3, 1945
-
Richard E. Pegue
Jul 3, 1946
-
Robert Ellsworth Oman
Nov 7, 1946
-
Robert R. Golden
Nov 14, 1956
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago Park District Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
