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Frank McCaskey
Incident
Detective Frank McCaskey was accidentally shot and killed by another railroad police officer in a case of mistaken identity.
He and the other officer were both searching the Clearing Yards, along West 75th Street between South Kedzie Avenue and South Rockwell Street, Illinois, for thieves when the other officer mistook him for a thief and opened fire in the darkness. Not realizing he had shot anyone, the other officer went home at the end of his shift. He turned himself in later in the day after reading in the newspaper that Detective McCaskey had been fatally shot.
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective McCaskey served with The Belt Railway Company of Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bedford Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective McCaskey.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
The Belt Railway Company of Chicago Police Department has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Frank is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Frank is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Frank is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1918, 3 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 38th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1918, 39 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 108th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1918, 44 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 112th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Frank was 44. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37.
Frank was 44. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Frank was 44. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
April holds 8.5% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Tuesdays: 11.6%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at The Belt Railway Company of Chicago Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
The Belt Railway Company of Chicago Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-ET
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from The Belt Railway Company of Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
