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Charles H. Williams
Incident
Park Police Officer Charles H. Williams was shot and killed during a robbery at a tavern at 4301 N. Western Avenue. Officer Williams was off duty but in uniform when two men entered the establishment to rob it. When the gunmen noticed him they immediately opened fire, striking him three times in the stomach. He was able to return fire but did not strike his killers. Officer Williams was transported to Martha Washington Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. Three men were later apprehended. The killer was executed in September of 1942. Officer Williams had served with the Chicago Park District Police Department for 19 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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.
Park Police Officer Williams gave the Chicago Park District Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Police Officer Williams.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago Park District Police Department has lost 13 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles 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 1941, 2 officers at Chicago Park District Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1941, 4 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1941, 92 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1941, 260 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Charles had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 12.5% of these deaths at Chicago Park District Police Department; November holds the most, 37.5%. Wednesdays: 37.5%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 13 deaths at Chicago Park District Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 37.5% 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 27,552 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.
His people
Chicago Park District Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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Joseph Klocek
Oct 8, 1935
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Joseph Isola
Nov 2, 1935
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Arthur Swanson
May 21, 1936
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Frederick Fischer
Oct 22, 1936
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Bernard B. Klinke
Feb 22, 1937
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Martin Wolski
Mar 26, 1938
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Harry Francois
Nov 20, 1939
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Charles J. Speaker
Jun 30, 1941
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Charles H. Williams
Dec 10, 1941
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Spencer Thornton, Jr.
Sep 3, 1945
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Richard E. Pegue
Jul 3, 1946
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Robert Ellsworth Oman
Nov 7, 1946
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Robert R. Golden
Nov 14, 1956
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago Park District Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
