Police Officer Dell Otis Fountain

Dell Otis Fountain

Police Officer Dell Fountain was shot and killed while investigating a disturbance in an apartment in his building on the 3900 block of West Van Buren Street.

Officer Fountain's son had been previously threatened by an armed subject who had been arrested after Officer Fountain reported the incident. On March 23rd, 1996, the man again harassed Officer Fountain's son and attempted to keep him front entering the building. The subject, who was involved in narcotics activity and was on supervised release while awaiting trial for murder, knew that Officer Fountain was a police officer.

When Officer Fountain confronted the subject a struggle ensued in which the man gained control of Officer Fountain's weapon and shot him. The shot severed an artery in his leg and he died as a result of loss of blood.

The subject was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The original conviction was overturned and received a new trial.

Officer Fountain had served with the Chicago Police Department for three years. He was survived by his son, daughter, parents, and seven siblings.