Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Thursday, May 1, 1919
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 2902
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: May 1, 1919
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: One killed; two sentenced to life
Patrolman Cornelius Wilson was shot and killed while questioning robbery suspects at 37th and State Streets in Chicago.
Patrolman Wilson was walking home after his tour of duty when he observed three men suspected of committing a series of armed robberies. Officer Wilson approached and asked a few questions. Without warning, two of the men produced handguns and began firing. Officer Wilson was able to return fire, killing one of his assailants. A motorist took Officer Wilson to Provident Hospital, but his wounds were fatal.
The two remaining suspects confessed to killing Patrolman Wilson. One suspect was convicted of felony murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in Joliet Prison. The second suspect was sentenced to life imprisonment; the prison is unknown.
Patrolman Wilson had served four years with the Chicago Police Department and was the first black Chicago Police Officer killed in the line of duty. Patrolman Wilson was survived by his wife and parents.
He is buried at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Campbellsville, Kentucky.