Correctional Officer James P. Zeiger, Illinois Department of Corrections, Illinois

Correctional Officer James P. Zeiger

Illinois Department of Corrections, Illinois

End of Watch Thursday, January 11, 1973

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James P. Zeiger

Correctional Officer James Zeiger was stabbed to death while walking the 8th Gallery of Cell House B at the Stateville Correctional Center.

An inmate attacked him from behind, stabbing him eight times with a knife, inflicting a fatal wound to the heart. The inmate then threw Correctional Officer Zeiger over the rail to the concrete floor 40 feet below.

The suspect was denied parole in 2001 and later died while still incarcerated.

Correctional Officer Zeiger had served with the Illinois Department of Corrections for three years. He was survived by his wife and eight children.

Bio

Age 43
Tour 3 years
Badge 373

Incident Details

Cause Stabbed
Weapon Edged weapon; Knife
Offender Died in prison

convicted felon, correctional Facility, prisoner custody

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Daddy, 52 long years gone by without you. I miss your face, your laugh, your quirky sense of humor, but mostly, I just miss you. Rest in peace, Dad. You now have mom and your son Joey with you, our guardian angels. I love you, just wanted to let you know.

Linda Wells
daughter

January 17, 2025