Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 29 years, 1 month, 30 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: 5th District - Kensington
District of Incident (Present Day): 002 - Wentworth
Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy
Age at Time of Death: 55
Timeline
Date of Birth: 02 Sep 1927
Date of Appointment: 21 Sep 1953
Date of Incident: 002 - Wentworth
End of Watch: 20 Nov 1982
Date of Interment: 26 Nov 1982
Interment Details
Cemetery: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery - Alsip, Illinois
Grave Location: Grave 1, Lot 64, Block 14, Section 8
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # D-7
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 3
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 3, Line 37
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 45-E: 4
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve
Incident & Biographic Details
Sergeant Hamp Thedford McMikel, Jr., Star #1541, aged 55 years, was a 29 year, 1 month, 30 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 5th District – Kensington.
On November 20, 1982, at 8:40 p.m., Sergeant McMikel was off duty and stopped his vehicle at 4401 South Lake Shore Drive to use a payphone. Two offenders, Ray C. Greer, age 23, of 5146 South Inglesides Avenue and Michael A. Merrell, age 20, 7009 South Chapel Avenue, approached Sergeant McMikel brandishing a shotgun and attempted to rob him. They were believed to be part of a gang that preyed on stopped motorists using payphones on Lake Shore Drive. Coincidentally police surveillance of the area was discontinued several days earlier. Sergeant McMikel identified himself as a police officer and drew his .38 caliber revolver. He and Merrell were both shot during an exchange of gunfire. Greer dragged his partner’s body across the northbound and Southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive and left him near the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad tracks to die. Police later discovered his lifeless body. A motorist noticed the Sergeant slumped in the phone booth and alerted police. Sergeant McMikel was transported to Michael Reese Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:00 p.m. on November 20, 1982.
Ray C. Greer was later captured and eventually confessed. He was tried, found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Sergeant McMikel was waked at Cage Memorial Chapel located at 8651 South Jeffery Avenue. His funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church located at 7851 South Jeffery Avenue. He was laid to rest on November 26, 1982 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 West 111th Street, Alsip, Illinois. His grave is located in Grave 1, Lot 64, Block 14, Section 8.
Sergeant Hamp Thedford McMikel, Jr., born September 2, 1927, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on September 21, 1953 and was issued Star 1866. On April 28, 1960, he was promoted to the rank of Temporary Sergeant and issued Star #1208. On October 15, 1960, he was returned to the rank of Patrolman and reissued Star #1811. On September 16, 1961, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and issued Star #1541.
Sergeant McMikel served in the U.S. Army from November 1946 thru May 1949 and was Honorably Discharged. He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve and was Honorably Discharged at the rank of Captain. Sergeant McMikel was also a member of the Police Benevolent & Protective Association. He was survived by his wife, Margaret Ann (nee Reid); children: Anne Marie, Cheryl Ann, Duane Thedford, Margaret Ellen, Marc Anthony, Michele Denise, Patricia Elaine and Otis Wealey; siblings: Clarence and Mamie Lamar and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: Hamp Thedford, Sr. and Luverta (nee Childs).
Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #D426860.
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