Jeffrey Pendleton
Portrait of Jeffrey Pendleton by MOL volunteer RLP
On April 5th, 2020, Jeffrey Pendleton passed away at the age of 59. Jeffrey’s death was the first reported COVID-19 death from the Cook County Jail in Chicago, IL, which has since lost ten more residents and counting. He was awaiting trial with no means to evade the court and could have been released, sparing his life. Public defenders argued in the weeks before his death that he should be released due to the fact that his age and medical history put him at a higher risk for infection.
Jeffrey’s life was challenging but full, and ultimately reflected the inability in our country to meet the needs of all its citizens. Jeffrey had dreams and pursued them to the best of his ability, despite medical and other challenges. He joined the Marines and later went to beauty school and other trade schools in an attempt to find his way. His brother, Warren Pendleton, says that he was always going to school for something. Warren told the Chicago Tribune, “Everybody got different issues… I don’t think anybody should die like that.” Jeffrey was subjected to restraint and abuse instead of care and dignity. Without assistance and opportunity, he was unable to fully utilize his skills, participate in his community, or thrive.
Jeffrey’s death cries out for a better world and has left a hole in Warren’s heart, who knew his potential and his character. Warren lamented to the Tribune, “He was chained up for days. And sick. That was an injustice to my brother… Nobody should die in there.” It leaves this world with a place that only Jeffrey could fill and leaves us all with a charge to do whatever we can do to help people in need, search for new ways to see justice and prevent the penal system from filling Jeffrey’s bunk with another victim.
Jeffrey, we hear your call. We answer.
He will be missed and remembered.
This memorial was written by MOL team member Carla Simmons with information from reporting by Megan Crepeau of the Chicago Tribune. Transcribed by Claire Chang.