Death Classification: Performance of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 34 years, 0 months, 9 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: 10th District - Marquette
District of Incident (Present Day): 010 - Ogden
Cause of Death: Illness - Cardiac Arrest
Age at Time of Death: 66
Timeline
Date of Birth: 27 Aug 1921
Date of Appointment: 21 Sep 1953
Date of Incident: 30 Sep 1987
End of Watch: 30 Sep 1987
Date of Interment: 07 Oct 1987
Interment Details
Cemetery: Lincoln Cemetery - Chicago, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # D-11
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 2
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 3, Line 43
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 48-E: 10
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: U.S. Navy
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman Arthur Orlando Jackson, Star #8622, aged 66 years, was a 34 year, 0 month, 9 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 10th District – Marquette Tactical Unit.
On September 30, 1987, at 11:40 a.m., Officer Jackson was working the third watch with his partner, Patrolman T. Eason on beat 1095. While on patrol the officers spotted a stolen 1974 Chevy speeding the wrong way on the 1900 block of South Hamlin Avenue, a one-way northbound street. The officers then began to follow the car into the North alley of Ogden Avenue and then turn North onto Avers Avenue. When the car turned onto Avers Avenue the driver, Robert Richardson, age 18, slammed on the brakes at 1950 South Avers Avenue jumped out of the car and fled on foot. He ran Eastbound through an alley, the officers giving chase on foot never loosing sight of Richardson. The chase last for approximately two and a half blocks where they were joined by beat 1022, Patrolman M. Salcedo and Louis Soto and beat 4473, Patrolman M. Acevedo and A. Badie. Richardson was apprehended by Officers Badie, Eason, Jackson, Salcedo and Soto at 1920 South Avers Avenue.
Following the apprehension, beat 1022 drove Officer Eason back to the stolen car. Officer Jackson drove Officer Badie back to his squad car and partner who was with another suspect regarding a separate matter. Minutes later at 11:56 a.m. Officer Jackson was observed turning into and alley by two civilians, J.C. Halums, Jr., age 43, of 1834 South Avers Avenue and Ernest J. Hollins, age 47, of 1948 South Hamlin Avenue, and strike a garbage can, the car coming to a stop at 3720 West Ogden Avenue. The civilians walked over to see what was going on and observed Officer Jackson slumped over the steering wheel. They flagged down beat 1062, Patrolmen Daukus and McMeel, who was driving by and notified them of Officer Jackson’s situation. Beat 1062 investigated and called for an ambulance. Paramedics arrived and attempted to revive him on scene but were unsuccessful. Officer Jackson was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital by CFD Ambulance #34 where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Glimp at 12:55 p.m. on September 30, 1987. Officer Jackson’s death was caused from cardiac arrest.
Robert Richardson was on a 30 month probation for auto theft at the time of the incident and denied stealing the car and being the person the officers were chasing. He had previously been arrested for auto theft, burglary and possession of a controlled substance. Richardson was charged possession of a stolen motor vehicle after being interviewed by ASA Lynn.
Officer Jackson opted to remain on the force after the mandatory retirement age of 63, was raised by the City Council to 70. Officer Jackson was planning to retire within 6 months and move to Mexico at the time of his death.
Officer Jackson was waked at A. R. Leak Funeral Home located at 7838 South Cottage Grove Avenue. His funeral mass was held at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church located at 754 East 77th Street. He was laid to rest on October 7, 1987 in Lincoln Cemetery, 12300 South Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.
Patrolman Arthur Orlando Jackson, born August 27, 1921, received his Probationary Appointment to the Department on September 21, 1953. In 1965, Officer Jackson was the first African-American to serve on the Department’s Marine Unit and the newly created Marquette District Tactical Unit. Officer Jackson also apprehended the murderer who killed Patrolman Charles W. Pollard on December 14,1967.
Officer Jackson served in the U.S. Navy for 3 years, was a veteran of World War II and was Honorably Discharged. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Officer Jackson was survived by his children: Ansonia, Artis, Brian (USMC) and Gayle and sister, Isabella Beatrice. He was preceded in death by his son, Philip and parents: Clora (nee Winston and Felix C. His fourth son, Philip, died in combat during the Vietnam War.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #J420711 Hospitalization Case Report and J420794 Vehicle Theft Case Report.
On July 23, 2019, Officer Jackson’s star was retired by Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 South Michigan Avenue.