U.S. Army · United States 
George Turley
1951
George Joseph Turley served the U.S. Army.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Blunt force trauma
Mechanism
Blunt force
Assault
What Happened
Guard George Turley was beaten to death by a death row inmate during an escape attempt from the Cook County Jail at 26th Street and California Avenue.
The inmate had tricked other guards into letting him out of his cell. He was able to make his way onto the top of the prisoner's outer wall where he encountered Guard Turley, who was in a watchtower. He attacked Guard Turley and beat him to death with his shotgun.
The man then successfully escaped with the shotgun. He remained at large for 48 hours before being taken back into custody. He was was executed on March 14th, 1952, for the original murder he had been convicted of.
Guard Turley was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Cook County Jail for only one month.
Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
August 14th, 2020
The inmate had tricked other guards into letting him out of his cell. He was able to make his way onto the top of the prisoner's outer wall where he encountered Guard Turley, who was in a watchtower. He attacked Guard Turley and beat him to death with his shotgun.
The man then successfully escaped with the shotgun. He remained at large for 48 hours before being taken back into custody. He was was executed on March 14th, 1952, for the original murder he had been convicted of.
Guard Turley was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Cook County Jail for only one month.
Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
August 14th, 2020
Service Record
U.S. Army
Also Served
Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Corrections
Guard
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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