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Incident
Dispatcher Oscar Brumfield was shot and killed when several members of a racist, radical group known as the Blackstone Rangers raided the East Chicago Heights police station in an attempt to steal weapons.
Dispatcher Brumfield, who was alone in the station while supervising a prisoner, attempted to draw his weapon but was shot in the chest. The men fled without stealing any weapons. Dispatcher Brumfield was able to broadcast a request for emergency assistance over the radio but died before officers with the Cook County Sheriff's Office arrived.
Several members of the gang were arrested and charged in connection with Dispatcher Brumfield's murder. The leader of the gang was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. His conviction was upheld on appeal but the death sentence was overturned in 1973 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the death penalty was unconstitutional. His death sentence was commuted to 25 to 50 years.
Dispatcher Brumfield had served with the East Chicago Heights Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Dispatcher Brumfield gave the East Chicago Heights Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Ford Heights community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Dispatcher Brumfield.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oscar is the only officer of East Chicago Heights Police Department remembered here.
Oscar is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Oscar is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Oscar 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 1969, 13 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1969, 124 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1969, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Oscar was 66. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Oscar had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Oscar was 66. 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. Oscar had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Oscar was 66. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Oscar had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 5.2% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at East Chicago Heights Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% 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; unknown type, in 5.9% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% 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
0 officers from East Chicago Heights Police Department are honored on badge.nw.