Jeffrey Smith

How they died

Deadly force

Off-duty Cook County jail guard John LaVelle, 32, shot Jeffrey Smith after police said LaVelle and another guard, Esteban Perkins, 31, were hired by two alleged drug dealers to collect a $70,000 debt. Investigators said LaVelle, Perkins and one of the dealers went to Smith's home to collect a debt from Smith's father at about 10 p.m. Smith allegedly opened fire, but failed to hit the men. LaVelle then shot Smith, who died three days later. LaVelle and Perkins were charged with first-degree murder. A third guard, Morris Richardson, 29, was charged with official misconduct for twice visiting Smith's home earlier.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Jeffrey Smith, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources