James E. O'Grady Obituary
James E. O’Grady passed away at age 96 on January 5, 2026. Born on January 21, 1929 to Sgt. Thomas, CPD, and Nora (Kearns) O’Grady, he was the loving husband of the late Joan (Koziol) O’Grady.
Devoted father of Hon. Margaret "Peggy" (Bryan) Parker, Sgt. James (Lydia) O’Grady, ret. CPD, Jesuit Brother Michael O’Grady, S.J., John (Erin) O’Grady, and Dr. Joanne (Sgt. Craig, CPD) Dunderdale.
Adored grandfather of James (Anna-Lisa) O’Grady, Sean (Daniele) O’Grady, Joan (Travis) Stoll, Monica O’Grady, Anne (David) Engler, Rose Dunderdale, Emma Dunderdale (fiancé Matthew Rhomberg), Faith O’Grady, and Maeve O’Grady. Doting great-grandfather of Penelope, Anya, Sophie, James, Adler, Nora, and Zelda. Also preceded in death by the siblings he revered: John (Betty) O’Grady, Veronica (John) O’Malley, Thomas (Mary Lou) O’Grady, and Michael (“Joe”) (Ruth) O’Grady. Married for 67 years to the love of his life, from 1955 until Joan’s passing in 2022.
He was a graduate of St. George High School and DePaul University, longtime parishioner of St. Mary of the Woods Parish, and proud member of Ridgemoor Country Club.
Jim was a tough competitor and champion in handball, softball, and of course, golf. Jim was regarded as a “cop’s cop” and street-smart, rising to the rank of Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, the nation’s second-largest police department, in 1978.
He was elected Sheriff of Cook County, the nation’s second-largest sheriff’s office, in 1986. Among numerous accolades, Jim was the recipient of the CPD’s Blue Star Award for sustaining a critical gunshot wound while thwarting the armed robbery of an elderly woman on State Street during rush hour in the Christmas season of 1971.
Jim often remarked on how tenuous life is in law enforcement, while he never forgot his early days.
Through the years, he enjoyed picking up the tab for the random pairs of patrol officers on their lunch break at Manny’s or The Blue Angel.
Jim also marveled at what America had provided for his parents when they emigrated from County Mayo, remarking that most of us are only a couple generations removed from hard times and deprivation, and we should show our gratitude by giving to those around us.
Jim’s countless friends and his family will remember his fierce loyalty, his cynical Irish humor, and the gentle and generous compassion that he used when needed most.
Jim was Irish-Catholic, but he said the correct term should be Catholic-Irish because God comes first, and nothing else is possible without faith in God.
A visitation will be held Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 9AM until time of Mass, 11AM, at St. Mary of the Woods Church, 6955 N. Hiawatha, Chicago. Interment private. Arrangements entrusted to Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to the Evans Scholars Foundation mail to:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation.
