Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Wednesday, December 3, 1997
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 24 years
Badge Number: 12028
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Date of Incident: December 3, 1997
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Arrested and charged
Police Officer Richard R. Schott died after suffering a fatal heart attack while struggling with a prisoner.
Officer Schott was working as a detention officer in the Deering District lockup when one of the prisoners became violent and Officer Schott attempted to subdue him. The prisoner had been arrested on narcotics charges and Officer Schott was in the process of trying to fingerprint him in the station at 3507 S. Lowe Avenue.
Officer Schott was aided by other officers in subduing the prisoner but collapsed after the altercation. He was pronounced dead at Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center at 2:00 a.m. The prisoner was charged with first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated battery.
Police Officer Richard Schott, a resident of the Mount Greenwood area, was a 25-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department. Officer Schott worked in the Deering District his entire career. He was a beat officer and a member of the tactical unit before his assignment to lockup duties. His son survives him.