James Crawford, a 61-year-old retired Chicago police officer, was found dead on September 21, 2019, in his home located in the Chatham neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. Crawford, who had served the Chicago Police Department for 29 years, retired earlier in 2019. He was discovered with a gunshot wound to the head, and the Cook County Medical Examiner's office ruled his death a suicide. The incident occurred around 7:40 p.m. at his residence on South Wabash Avenue.
Crawford's death was part of a troubling trend, as he was the fourth Chicago police officer to die by suicide in 2019.
Crawford's career with the police department was notable; he retired as a lieutenant and was based in the 5th District on the South Side. After his retirement, he obtained a professional license as a behavioral care counselor in March 2019. His death highlighted the ongoing mental health crisis among law enforcement officers, with multiple suicides reported within the department that year.
There were no arrests, suspects, or litigations related to Crawford's death, as it was determined to be a suicide. The investigation by the Chicago police and the Cook County Medical Examiner's office concluded that there was no foul play involved. The tragic circumstances of his death underscored the importance of mental health support for retired and active-duty officers.
