Lee County Sheriff's Office, Illinois
End of Watch: Monday, May 9, 1977
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 8 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Assault
Date of Incident: May 9, 1977
Weapon Used: Person
Suspect Info: Sentenced
Correctional Officer Richard Fordham was beaten and strangled to death after being overpowered by two inmates at the old Lee County Law Enforcement Center at 122 W. Third Street in Dixon.
Both inmates were convicted of his murder and sentenced to 40 to 100 years in prison. One died in prison in December of 2011. The other inmate, who has been denied parole several times, was granted parole in 2012.
Correctional Officer Fordham was a U.S. Navy veteran and had served with the Lee County Sheriff's Office for only eight months. He is survived by his wife and five children.