Assistant Warden Virdeen Willis

Death by Force

Assistant Warden Virdeen Willis, a 45-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on June 30, 1985, in Chicago, Illinois. Willis, who served with the Illinois Department of Corrections for 19 years, was off duty at the time of his death. He was leaving Maggie’s Shamrock Lounge on the city's South Side when he was approached and shot by a suspect. The incident occurred around 9:45 p.m., and Willis was accompanied by a cousin at the time.

The suspect, Steven Smith, a 38 ...Read More

Assistant Warden Virdeen Willis, Jr.

Reflections for Assistant Warden Virdeen Willis, Jr., Illinois ...