James E. Doyle, 34, was a Chicago police officer for less than one year when he was killed in the line of duty. Officer Doyle was assigned to the 006th District Gresham Station.
On February 5, 1982, the rookie officer and his partner, Robert M. Mantia, were in their marked police car when a citizen approached them. He informed the officers that he had been a passenger on CTA route 79 and recognized a man on board who had previously robbed him.
The officers boarded the bus at 79th Street and Lafayette Avenue and spotted the offender, Edgar Hope, who was carrying two concealed firearms. One of these weapons was previously used during the murder and attempted murder of two Cook County Correctional Officers. As the officers approached, Hope fatally shot Officer Doyle and injured two passengers.
Edgar Hope was sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to life in prison by Governor George Ryan.
Officer Doyle is survived by his sister, Mary Jo; and mother, who passed away soon after her son’s death by what many described as “a broken heart.”