Michael Chambers

How they died

Less-than-lethal force

Michael Chambers died after off-duty Cook County correctional officer Timothy Brogan and two other men choked and beat him during a brawl at the Holiday Inn that broke out after two weddings. Chambers, brother of Cook County Comptroller John Chambers, was at a reception for a state's attorney's office employee, while Brogran was with the other party for a CCSO special operations officer. Witnesses said that the officer's guests made lewd remarks to the women from the other party and challenged the men to fight when both groups went to the hotel bar just before midnight. Chambers went to intervene after learning that his fiance and the bride's mother were being shoved around, but he was pummeled to the floor and repeatedly kicked in the head, witnesses said. Chambers was pronounced dead at a hospital. Brogan, 25, was charged with official misconduct and obstruction of justice. Ronald Schickel Jr., 29, was charged with first-degree murder and felony mob action. Brian Tomkins, 29, was charged with aggravated battery and felony mob action. Both Schickel and Tomkins were brothers of correctional officers.

Why we remember them

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

References & sources