Harl Gene Meister
Agency patch
Police Officer

Harl Gene Meister

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Veteran → Felonious
End of Watch December 23, 1974
Age 36
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Badge 10054
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Harl Meister was shot to death in a robbery attempt in the parking lot of a discount store at 5601 South Cicero Avenue. He and his 8-year-old son were attempting to leave after a last-minute Christmas shopping trip when four youths attempted to rob him. His son was shot in the jaw and shoulder during the attack and was taken to a hospital in critical condition. Officer Meister was able to draw his revolver and fire before he was killed. One 16-year-old suspect was apprehended one block from the shooting scene, and another 16-year-old suspect was taken into custody three hours later. The other two, ages 17 and 18, were apprehended a few hours later. Officer Meister was transported to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His son recovered fully from his wounds. One year later, the 16-year-old who killed Officer Meister was convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 to 50 years. He died in prison in 2005. Two others were sentenced to 14 to 20 years and three to nine years. The fourth suspect received a very light sentence for attempted armed robbery. Officer Meister was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Chicago Police Department for 6-1/2 years, assigned to the Marquette District. During his career, he was awarded several honorable mentions and spent six months assigned to the department’s Special Operations Group.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Harl is one person.

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Tributes

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Meister gave the Chicago Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 23, 1974
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Age 36
Badge Number 10054
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Military Service

Harl Gene Meister served in the U.S. Navy (1960–1966) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Harl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.

34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Harl was 36. 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. Harl had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Harl among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Police Officer Harl Gene Meister

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch December 23, 1974

Military Service

Harl Gene Meister served in the U.S. Navy (1960–1966) before joining law enforcement.

Visit Harl Gene Meister’s page on salute.nw →

His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E

Also Remembered

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