Nelson Smith, a 40-year-old African American officer, was killed on January 21, 1986, in Chicago during an attempted armed robbery. The shooting occurred at about 9:10 PM in front of 61 East 29th Street as he exited a bus. A suspect approached from behind, put a gun to his back, and after discovering Smith’s badge fatally shot him, took his service weapon, and fled.

Smith had been with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services Police for one year and was assigned to the State of Illinois Center in Chicago; he previously served with the Oak Forest Hospital Police Department. His mother survived him. The suspect was later apprehended, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in prison.

Does anyone have memories of Officer Smith or information about that night that could add to the record?