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Phillip Reitz
Incident
Chief of Detectives Phillip Reitz was shot and killed after responding to a call of a citizen who feared for his life during a labor unrest. At about 4:30 am, a non-striking railroad shop foreman was being threatened by 500 striking workers who had surrounded his house on the 600 block of Garnsey Avenue in Joliet. When officers arrived, the railroad workers fatally shot Chief Reitz in the heart, killing him instantly. The striker who allegedly shot Chief Reitz was shot and killed by the Will County Sheriff, who was also wounded in the head and leg.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Detectives Reitz served with the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Gary community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Detectives Reitz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Phillip is the only officer of Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Police Department remembered here.
Phillip is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Phillip is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Phillip is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 6 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
August holds 8.1% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Mondays: 12.6%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 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 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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