Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 26 years, 11 months, 22 days*
Unit of Assignment / Detail: Bureau of Inspectional Services: Unit 245 - Vice Control Division
District of Incident (Present Day): 018 - Near North
Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy
Age at Time of Death: 83
Timeline
Date of Birth: 13 Aug 1919
Date of Appointment: 22 Aug 1955
Date of Incident: 14 Oct 1977
End of Watch: 10 Mar 2003
Date of Interment: 15 Mar 2003
Interment Details
Cemetery: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery - Alsip, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case:
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 25
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall:
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall:
Officer Down Memorial Page: Not Listed
Service
Military Service: Unknown
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman Edward L. Jackson, Star #2790, aged 83 years, was a 26 year, 11 month, 22 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Bureau of Inspectional Services: Unit 245 – Vice Control Division.
On October 14, 1977, Officer Jackson was working undercover on beat 3442 with Patrolmen Karl Manuel, Albert Williams and Rudolph Winston. They were assigned to a prostitution mission in the 800 block of North Clark Street. The officers were in two unmarked police cars, Officers Jackson and Williams in one and Officers Manuel and Winston in the other. At approximately 1:00 a.m., the officers arrested two females and placed them into the squad car driven by Officer Jackson. As the patrol car turned onto LaSalle Street, the group encountered Lee Jones, age 33, of 1563 North Hoyne Avenue. Jones had just robbed a dice game located at a nearby pool hall and was driving a gray 1977 Lincoln Continental. Jones sped by the unmarked police car driven by Officer Jones, nearly striking it. Jones then abruptly stopped his vehicle and allowed Officer Jackson to pull alongside. At 1:15 a.m., a brief verbal exchange occurred in which Jones persisted in haranguing the officers. Officer Jackson then said, “Well, what are you going to do about it?” Jones responded by saying, “Just this” and pulled a gun and fired. Officer Jackson was hit in the head and slumped over the wheel. Jones sped off and was pursued by a second unmarked police car which was following Officer Jackson. The second unmarked unit radioed for backup and Jones was arrested minutes later at Bryn Mawr and Sheridan Road by two Town Hall District officers. Recovered from his vehicle was a .357 Magnum revolver with two spent casings. Officer Jackson was rushed to Henrotin Hospital and after 24 hours was transfered to Cook County Hospital where he underwent surgery.
Lee Jones was found guilty of attempt murder and aggravated battery. He was sentenced to 100 years in the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet.
Officer Jackson survived the initial shooting, but lost a piece of his skull and suffered significant brain damage. As a result he was left paralyzed on his right side and blind in the right eye. On January 16, 1979, Officer Jackson went on the Disability Pension Roll (DPR) due to his medical issues. On August 13, 1982, Officer Jackson retired. On March 10, 2003, he died from a heart attack. His death was directly linked to the craniocerebral trauma resulting in right hemiplegia with non-fluent aphasia he received 25 years prior by Dr. Nancy L. Jones of the Cook Medical Examiner’s Office.
Officer Jackson was was waked at Gatling’s Chapel, Inc. located at 10133 South Halsted Street. He was laid to rest on March 15, 2003 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 West 111th Street, Alsip, Illinois.
Patrolman Edward L. Jackson, born August 13, 1919, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on August 22, 1955.
Officer Jackson was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was survived by his wife, Jennie Mae (nee Mitchell) and children: Adrienne Laverne Hubbard and Elton Leland.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #Y380156.