Former Cook County sheriff dies at 80
Former Cook County Sheriff Richard J. Elrod has died at age 80.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Elrod died Saturday of liver cancer and cirrhosis.
Elrod served four consecutive terms as sheriff between 1970 and 1986 and was a Cook County circuit court judge from 1988 until his death.
Before he was elected sheriff, Elrod was an attorney for the city of Chicago. In 1969 he suffered a broken neck while assisting a police officer who was apprehending a man. As a result, Elrod used a crutch to walk. He was subsequently elected to the Illinois House for one term before his successful run for sheriff.
His son, Steven Elrod, says his father was proud to be recognized for his efforts at youth counseling and drug awareness.
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