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Incident
Correctional Officer Jerome Combs died as a result of injuries sustained from being kicked by an unruly inmate at the Detention Center. Officer Combs, along with two other Correctional Officers, were struggling with an inmate, attempting to place him in a cell. It was then that the inmate kicked Officer Combs in the chest, killing him. Correctional Officer Combs had served with the Kankakee County Sheriff's Department for only seven months. In 2005, a new county jail was named the Jerome Combs Detention Facility in his honor.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Combs served with the Kankakee County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Kankakee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Combs.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jerome is the only officer of Kankakee County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Jerome is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Jerome is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jerome 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 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
Jerome was 24. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Jerome had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jerome was 24. 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. Jerome had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jerome was 24. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jerome had served 0.6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 5.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Thursdays: 15%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Kankakee County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was person, 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 person, in 2.9% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Kankakee County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.