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Incident
Location: Illinois Weapon: Handgun Offender: Never identified
Special Agent Bert Zumwalt was shot and killed from ambush while checking on a railroad siding along Sangamon Avenue near the Jones and Adams Mine in Springfield, Illinois.
He was driving a truck along Sangamon Avenue when another vehicle attempted to run it off the road. The occupant(s) of the vehicle then opened fire with both a shotgun and revolver, striking Agent Zumwalt multiple times. Despite being wounded, he was able to draw his own service weapon but did not return fire.
Two passersby discovered Agent Zumwalt's truck in a ditch on the side of the road. The transported him to Springfield Hospital where he passed away without ever regaining consciousness.
It is believed that Agent Zumwalt was murdered in retaliation for his work in arresting thieves and bootleggers. The subjects who murdered him were never identified.
Agent Zumwalt had served with the Chicago and Alton Railroad Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Zumwalt gave the Chicago and Alton Railroad Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Zumwalt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago and Alton Railroad Police Department has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Bert is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Bert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Bert 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 1925, 1 officer at Chicago and Alton Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 5 years on record. The heaviest was 1888, with 2.
In 1925, 22 officers in IL were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bert was 42. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Chicago and Alton Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 23 and 29; the middle age was 24. Bert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 12 years.
Bert was 42. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Bert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bert was 42. 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. Bert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bert was 42. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Bert had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 16.7% of these deaths at Chicago and Alton Railroad Police Department; April holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 50%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Chicago and Alton Railroad Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago and Alton Railroad Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Bert among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Chicago and Alton Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
