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Nelson Smith
Incident
Police Officer Nelson Smith was shot and killed during an armed robbery while off duty in Chicago at approximately 9:10 pm. Three subjects had just attempted an armed robbery in front of 61 East 29th Street when one of the suspects went to a nearby bus stop planning to commit another armed robbery. As Officer Smith exited a bus, the suspect approached him from behind and placed a gun in his back. When the suspect discovered Officer Smith's badge he fatally shot him in the back, stole his service weapon, and fled. The suspect was apprehended, later convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Smith had served with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services Police for one year and was assigned to the State of Illinois Center in Chicago. He had previously served with the Oak Forest Hospital Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother.
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
You barely got started.
Police Officer Smith gave the Illinois Department of Central Management Services Police 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Smith.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Nelson is the only officer of Illinois Department of Central Management Services Police remembered here.
Nelson is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Nelson is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Nelson is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1986, 8 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1986, 98 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1986, 112 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 52nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Nelson was 40. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Nelson had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nelson was 40. 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. Nelson had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Nelson was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Nelson had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.4% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Illinois Department of Central Management Services Police. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 30.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 1-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Illinois Department of Central Management Services Police are honored on badge.nw.