James William Koumoundouros, a 30-year-old male, was a dedicated patrolman with the Chicago Police Department. On September 7, 1977, while off duty, he was working as a security guard at The First National Bank of Lincolnwood, located at 6201 North Lincoln Avenue, Lincolnwood, Illinois. During his shift, Erasmo "Roberto" Ramirez, a 49-year-old male, entered the bank armed with a .38 caliber gun. Ramirez approached Officer Koumoundouros and ordered him to remove his gun and place it on the desk.
As Officer Koumoundouros began to comply, he discreetly activated the alarm button under his desk and started to draw his weapon. In the ensuing exchange, Officer Koumoundouros managed to shoot Ramirez in the thigh, but Ramirez returned fire, striking Officer Koumoundouros twice in the head. Officer Koumoundouros was transported to Swedish Covenant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Erasmo Ramirez fled the scene without taking any money and attempted to escape in his 1972 Buick, which had false license plates. However, he crashed into a tree at 3824 West Devon Avenue and was subsequently arrested by responding officers. Ramirez was treated for his injuries at Swedish Covenant Hospital before being transferred to Cermak Hospital. He was later convicted of first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery, receiving a death sentence. However, in 2003, Governor George Ryan commuted his sentence, along with those of all other inmates on death row, to life in prison. At the time of the incident, Ramirez was an escapee from Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas, where he was serving a 35-year sentence for robbing a bank in San Antonio, Texas.
Officer Koumoundouros's death was classified as a line-of-duty death, and he was honored on several memorial walls, including the Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall. His service and sacrifice are remembered by his colleagues and the community he served.
