Prev Next

Probationary Patrolman

Ralph S. Souders

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch December 19, 1922

Age 29

Tour of Duty 2 mo

Badge 360

The Vigil Panel 104 · Column 4 · Line 14 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Military Memorials 1 Also Remembered Department 570

Incident

Probationary Patrolman Ralph Souders was shot and killed while attempting to stop a robbery at a local store at 5361 South Morgan Street. Patrolman Souders had been assigned to guard the store as the result of a string of recent robberies. Two men entered the back room of the store and immediately held Patrolman Souders at gunpoint. A moment later, Patrolman Souders lunged at one of the suspects, who opened fire, killing him. Both suspects were taken into custody. The gunman was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. His accomplice was sentenced to life. On June 20th, 1925, the gunman attacked his accomplice in prison with a knife and stabbed him five times. He died the next day. A few weeks later, the gunman killed himself by setting his clothes on fire. Patrolman Souders was a United States WWI veteran and served with the Chicago Police Department for two months. He was survived by his expectant wife and son. He is buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Section T, Hillside, Cook County, Illinois.

Survivors

He was survived by his expectant wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: neuraspine_01krbxtnbw670tkp8da5097avq
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Ralph. Claim this record.

Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Ralph is one person.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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.
Probationary Patrolman Souders served with the Chicago Police Department.
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

Department Chicago Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Chicago, Cook County, IL

Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 19, 1922

Tour of Duty 2 mo

Age 29

Badge Number 360

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

Military Service

Ralph S. Souders served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Ralph 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.

Compare against

Time

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.

Every year on record · United States

Who

Ralph was 29. 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. Ralph had served 0.2 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. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month

By day of the week

How

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.

Every cause

Weapons recorded