Born in Chicago, Illinois, in June 1983, Elijah Okafor grew up in a prominent middle class African-American family. His father, Anthony Okafor, a former police lieutenant turned criminology professor, inspired him to become a police officer. He has two younger brothers, Dexter and Kwame. Elijah attended Illinois State University where he majored in Criminal Justice. Following graduation, he joined the police academy, and after graduating that, the Chicago P.D., becoming a detective within four years. He is currently childless, but has a fiancé back in Chicago.