Patrolman Perkins | Star #16557

Patrolman Robert Harris Perkins, Star #16557, aged 45 years, was a 15 year, 10 month, 11 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 3rd District – Grand Crossing.

On March 7, 1992, at 10:26 a.m., Officer Perkins was on duty working the second watch 10-99 on beat 313. He observed two men in front of Betsy Ross Elementary School located at 6059 South Wabash Avenue. One of the two men, Stanley Davis, age 40, of 11536 South LaSalle Street, matched the description of a wanted burglary offender. Officer Perkins pulled over and approached Davis and escorted him to his squad car. Once at the squad car, Officer Perkins attempted to place Davis in the backseat at which time a struggle ensued and Davis produced a Sturm Ruger .357 caliber revolver. Davis fired four times striking Officer Perkins twice. He was shot once in his left forearm, the bullet lodging in his shoulder, and once in the left upper back, the bullet lodging in his forehead. Davis then threw the revolver on the ground and fled the scene Southbound on Wabash Avenue. A witness observed the struggle as he was driving Northbound on Wabash Avenue and observed Officer Perkins fall to the ground following the gunfire. He attempted to call for help using the radio in the squad car, but accidently used the P.A. system. The witness remained on scene until responding officers arrived. Officer Perkins was transported to Cook County Hospital by CFD Ambulance #55 where he was pronounced dead by Dr. Roxanne Roberts at 12:56 p.m. on March 7, 1992.

The handgun and clothing used by Davis was recovered between 60th Street and Michigan Avenue. Investigators were able to identify Davis, a parolee, through fingerprints lifted from the recovered weapon. Davis had been paroled in May of 1991 after serving time for another murder. He was apprehended eight days later hiding in a residence located in Harvey, Illinois. Davis stood trial and was convicted of first degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison at the Stateville Correctional Center without the possibility of parole.

Officer Perkins was waked at A. A. Rayner and Sons Funeral Home located at 318 East 71st Street. His funeral mass was held at Emmanuel Baptist Church located at 8301 South Damen Avenue. He was laid to rest on March 12, 1992 in Cedar Park Cemetery, 12540 South Halsted Street, Calumet Park, Illinois.

Patrolman Robert Harris Perkins, born May 29, 1946, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on April 26, 1976. He earned 1 Police Blue Star Award (posthumously), 1 Department Commendation, 55 Honorable Mentions and 7 Complimentary Letters during his career.

Officer Perkins served in the U.S. Marine Corps from July 8, 1964 thru July 8, 1968, was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was Honorably Discharged at the rank of Private. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from July 8, 1968 thru July 8, 1970 and was Honorably Discharged at the rank of Private. Officer Perkins was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was survived by his wife, Mattie Lou (nee Ingram), age 34; children: Ramona, age 16, Renee, age 22 and Tiffany May Walker, age 10 and siblings: Cornelius Thornton, Gwendolyn, Leon, Waymon Thornton.

Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #T105370.

On March 25, 1992, Officer Perkins’ star was retired by Superintendent LeRoy Martin and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 1121 South State Street. In 2000, Chicago Police Headquarters moved to a new facility at 3510 South Michigan Avenue, Officer Perkins’ Star was re-encased in the new headquarters building lobby.