CPMF Asks Public To Send Letters To State's Attorney Opposing Convicted Cop Killer's Clemency

CHICAGO — The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation is asking the public to send letters to Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke prior to a clemency hearing next month for an alleged Gangster Disciple who was convicted of shooting a Chicago police officer in August 1998.

Michael Ceriale was a rookie police officer with a little over a year with the Chicago Police Department, when he was gunned down in line of duty on Aug. 15, 1998 while doing drug surveillance near the Robert Taylor Homes.

His convicted killer, Jonathan Tolliver, now 47, is up for a clemency hearing in Springfield on Jan. 6, 2026, after serving only 28 years of his 60-year sentence.

The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation is asking the public to send emails to O’Neill Burke objecting to the prospect of Tolliver’s sentence being commuted and released back to society.

Ceriale and his partner were conducting an undercover narcotics surveillance on Gangster Disciple gang members near the Robert Taylor Homes at 4101 S. Federal Street. Tolliver, then 17, was working security for the gang with orders to “shoot to kill,” according to documents from Tolliver’s 2004 appeal.

Jonathan Tolliver, 47 | IDOC

When the undercover cops were spotted hiding in some bushes, another gang member, said to be working outside security, warned Tolliver and another associate. Armed with a .357 magnum, Cook County prosecutors alleged that Tolliver fired a single shot that hit Ceriale in the abdomen beneath his protective vest.

The young officer was rushed to Cook County Hospital. Ceriale died of blood loss and shock six days later on Aug. 21, 1998. More than 200 pints of blood collected from various blood drives were used.

A total of seven men would be charged in connection to Ceriale’s murder. In addition to first degree murder, Tolliver was also charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Tolliver’s first trial resulted in an 11-1 hung jury, after six state witnesses recanted statements they made to police and a grand jury identifying Tolliver as the gunman.

Some state witnesses claimed they felt pressured by police into making statements, accusing Wentworth 2nd District police of intimidation and fear tactics, accusations the officers denied.

Another state witness claimed she was threatened by a co-defendent’s relatives that they would blow up her house and kill her niece if she didn’t recant her original statements.

Tolliver was retried in May 2001 and found guilty of first-degree murder, in addition to manufacture and delivery of cocaine.

“HELP US FIGHT THIS,” CPMF said in a statement on Facebook. “[Tolliver] should serve every day of his sentence.”

Tolliver is currently serving his sentence at the Centralia Correctional Center. Tolliver’s executive clemency hearing is set for Jan. 6, 2026 before the Prisoner Review Board in Springfield.

Members of the public can voice their opposition to Cook County State's Attorney O'Neill Burke by emailing Jill Thornton of the Cook County State’s Office, Jill.thornton@cookcountysao.org before Dec. 19.

~ This story has been updated with new information.