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Patrolman

LaVaughn V. White Sr.

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch June 5, 1961

Age 38

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

Badge 7473

The Vigil Panel 212 · Column 2 · Line 12 ›

Gender Male

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

Incident

Patrolman LaVaughn V. White was gunned shot and killed while off duty when he interrupted a robbery in a business that was below his apartment at 121 East 79th Street. Four men walked into the business and placed an order. About 15 minutes later, Patrolman White left the business and went to his apartment above. A few minutes later, the men announced a hold-up. As the cash register was being emptied, the owner of the business observed Patrolman White walking his dog. One of the hold-up men ordered the owner of the business to call Patrolman White over, and as he was about to enter the business, the owner ran out to summon help. A gunfight ensued and Patrolman White fell, fatally shot. He managed to shoot and critically wound one of the men. Investigation at the scene revealed a wallet that was dropped in the business during the hold-up and the murder. The owner of this wallet was identified by a photo as one of the gunmen who was wounded. From the information he gave the other three assailants were arrested and charged with the murder of Patrolman White. All four gunmen were indicted by a grand jury on June 22nd, 1961, for murder. On November 30th, 1961, the defendants waived a jury trial and pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. The four were sentenced to 99 years in the Illinois State Penitentiary. The 20-year-old wounded suspect recovered fully and was paroled in 1974. During his imprisonment, he earned a college degree in sociology and psychology and was said to be a model inmate. On November 6th, 1983, he was arrested in Chicago and charged with the murder of a man in Springfield on June 17th, 1982. Patrolman White was a military veteran and had served with the Chicago Police Department for eight years.

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

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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.
Patrolman White gave the Chicago Police Department 8 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

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 June 5, 1961

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

Age 38

Badge Number 7473

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Not available

Military Service

LaVaughn V. White Sr. served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

The Sacrifice · Felonious

LaVaughn 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 1961, 69 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

LaVaughn was 38. 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. LaVaughn had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

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 not available, in 0.5% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded