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Leo George Nicholas
Incident
Guard Leo Nicholas was shot and killed in the Cook County Jail by a prisoner with a smuggled handgun.
Guard Nicholas was escorting the prisoner to sickbay when he suddenly produced a handgun and shot him. When cornered by other guards the prisoner shot and killed himself.
Jail officials suspected a woman, claiming to be the suspect's wife, had slipped him the gun during a visit to his cell earlier that morning. The suspect was awaiting trial for the murder of Detective Sergeant John Nerad, of the Cicero Police Department, on July 28th, 1929.
He was survived by his wife and five children.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five 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.
Guard Nicholas served with the Cook County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the people of Illinois. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Guard Nicholas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Leo is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Leo is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Leo 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 1932, 1 officer at Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1932, 21 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Leo was 51. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 45; the middle age was 41.
Leo was 51. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Leo was 51. 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.
Leo was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 20% of these deaths at Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections; July holds the most, 40%. Wednesdays: 40%.
June holds 9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 1.1% 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 handgun; revolver, in 0.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; revolver, in 0.8% of these deaths.
His people
Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections has 9 officers remembered here, Leo among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 35-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
