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Incident
Police Officer Earl Jensen was shot and killed after stopping and attempting to arrest three suspects. Officer Jensen had chased a car for traffic violations while on motorcycle patrol. The car did not pull over and Officer Jensen fired a warning shot into the air, a common practice at the time. The car stopped in the 800 block of Carpenter Street. After questioning the occupants, Officer Jensen asked a passerby to telephone the police station and request a wagon, presumably to transport the men. As Officer Jensen returned to the car, the driver opened his door and shot Officer Jensen four or five times. Officer Jensen fell to the ground while returning fire, striking the driver once. A passenger in the car came to the driver's aid and shot Officer Jensen as he lay on the ground, taking the car keys from the officer's body. Officer Jensen suffered two gunshot wounds to the chest and one wound to the left hand. The two shooters were arrested after a gunbattle in Columbus Park in which one was seriously injured. Subsequent investigation determined the car was stolen by the two shooters who were responsible for a string of armed robberies in Aurora, Elgin, Geneva, and Joliet, Illinois, and in Marshalltown, Iowa. All three suspects were indicted for murder. The suspects identified as the gunmen were convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On December 15, 1934, they were both executed by electrocution at the Cook County Jail. Officer Jensen had served with the Oak Park Police Department for nearly 4½ years. He was survived by his wife and 2-year-old daughter. Officer Jensen was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Forest Park.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 2-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Jensen gave the Oak Park Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oak Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Jensen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oak Park Police Department has lost 7 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Earl is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Earl is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Earl is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1934, 17 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Earl was 30. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Earl was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Earl had served 4.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 7 deaths at Oak Park Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Oak Park Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Earl among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Oak Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
