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Incident
Special Agent Pete Lackey's throat was slashed as he was on his way to work in Springfield. Agent Lackey was to testify at a drug trial that morning. The defendant in the case spotted him driving toward the city and ambushed him. To get Agent Lackey to stop, the man rammed his car into the rear of the agent's automobile. Agent Lackey pulled over to the shoulder of the road and the attacker jumped through the passenger side window with a large hunting knife in his hand. As Agent Lackey attempted to reach for his weapon his assailant slit his throat. A group of nurses saw the beginning of the struggle as they were driving past the scene. They turned their car around and went back to see if they could help. In the brief time it took them to return the killer fled and Special Agent Lackey had died. The man was later arrested and brought to trial in Decatur, but was acquitted. In 1981 the killer admitted his crime in an interview with a reporter from Springfield's "State Journal Register." A chronic drug abuser, the killer died in a psychiatric hospital. Special Agent Lackey had served with the Illinois Bureau of Investigation for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
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.
Special Agent Lackey gave the Illinois Bureau of Investigation 2 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Lackey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pete is the only officer of Illinois Bureau of Investigation remembered here.
Pete is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Pete is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Pete 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 1972, 5 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1972, 142 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 28th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1972, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Pete was 30. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Pete had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Pete 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. Pete had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Pete was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Pete had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 9.6% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Mondays: 14.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Illinois Bureau of Investigation. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 100% 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Illinois Bureau of Investigation are honored on badge.nw.