Patrolman Eddie Nelson Jones, Jr., Star #11120, aged 28 years, was a 4 year, 1 month, 21 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 10th District – Marquette Tactical Unit.

On January 7, 1991, at 4:41 p.m., Officer Jones and his partner, Patrolman Dennis Dobson, age 31, were working the third watch on beat 1061D. Earlier in their shift they had arrested Alexis Green, age 25, of 1540 South Sawyer, for possession of a control substance. The officers searched and transported Green to the Marquette District Police Station, where he was fingerprinted and charged. At the station, Green told the officers he could lead them to a “better bust.“ The officers decided to follow up on the lead and placed the handcuffed Green in the back seat of their unmarked squad car #3570. As the officers drove down Cermak Road near Western Avenue, Green reached into his pants and pulled out a gun that was not detected during an earlier search. At 4:41 p.m., Green forced the officers to pull their vehicle into Fairplay Finer Foods parking lot located at 2202 South Western Avenue and shot them both in the back of the head. He then reached over the front seat, took Officer Dobson’s handcuff keys, his .45 caliber firearm and fled on foot. Officer Dobson was able to radio in a 10-1 and his location after being shot. Responding officers arrived and took control of the scene. Officer Dobson was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital Medical Center by beat 1032 and recovered from his injuries. Officer Jones was transported to Cook County Hospital by CFD Ambulance #34 where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Nagle at 5:23 p.m. on January 7, 1991.

Members of Officer Jones Tactical Unit apprehended Green hours later at an apartment building located at 3121 West 15th Street. The .38 caliber murder weapon and Officer Dobson’s firearm was recovered in a separate man’s home who had spent time in jail with Green. Green was charged with murder, attempted murder, Possession of a controlled substance and escape. Green stood trial and on April 1, 1993 his trial ended in a hung jury. Judge Thomas Hett declared a mistrila and ordered a new trial to begin on April 19, 1993. During a second trial Green was found guilty. On May 17, 1993, Green was sentenced to 100 years at the Menard Correctional Center. His projected parole release date based on his sentence was January 8, 2045.

Officer Jones was waked at A.R. Leak Funeral Home located at 7838 South Cottage Grove Avenue. His funeral mass was held at Bethel Lutheran Church located at 6201 South Sangamon Avenue, was cremated, and laid to rest on January 12, 1991 in Oak Woods Cemetery, 1035 East 67th Street, Chicago, Illinois.

Patrolman Eddie Nelson Jones, Jr., born March 4, 1962, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on November 17, 1986 and was in Recruit Class 86-8E at the Jackson Street Police Academy. He earned 1 Department Commendation and 13 Honorable Mentions during his career.

Officer Jones was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was survived by his wife, Shari Joi (nee Hearn), age 26; child, Marsha; parents: Betty Jean (nee Russell), age 50 and Eddie Nelson, Sr., age 49 and sisters: Ashley and Carolyn.

Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #P010041.

On March 27, 1991, Officer Jones’ star was retired by Superintendent LeRoy Martin and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 1121 South State Street. In 2000, Chicago Police Headquarters moved to a new facility at 3510 South Michigan Avenue, Officer Jones’ Star was re-encased in the new headquarters building lobby.

Sometime between July 2001 and 2007, the 2300 block of West 18th Place was dedicated as “Honorary Officer Eddie N. Jones, Jr. Drive.” One brown honorary street sign was erected. The sign was located on the Northeast corner of 22nd Place and Western Avenue in the heart of the Heart of Italy community where Officer Jones was killed in the line of duty.