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Incident
Patrolman Joseph Rosenfield was beaten to death while attempting to disperse a group of rowdy men on the corner of 18th Street and 6th Avenue. When Patrolman Rosenfield approached the men, he was attacked and beaten to death. Four men were apprehended and charged with murder. Two suspects were convicted of murder and sentenced to life. One was paroled in 1893. In 1890 the other man's sentence was reduced to 20 years. When a prison official told him he was about to get out he dropped dead right in front of him. One of the other two was sentenced to 14 years and the other to one year. Patrolman Rosenfield was survived by five children by his first wife who died two years before him. He was survived by his second wife and a son. He served during the Civil War with Major Hatch's Cavalry, formed in Minnesota in 1863, which dealt with Indian uprisings in the northwest.
Survivors
Patrolman Rosenfield was survived by five children by his first wife who died two years before him. He was survived by his second wife and a son.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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 Rosenfield served with the Rock Island Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Rock Island 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joseph Rosenfield served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Rock Island Police Department has lost 9 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1879, 1 officer at Rock Island Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 4 years on record. The heaviest was 1922, with 2.
In 1879, 1 officer in IL was killed feloniously, the 123rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1879, 37 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1879, 39 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 148th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 32. Of the 2 killed feloniously at Rock Island Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35.5 and 42.5; the middle age was 39.
Joseph was 32. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Joseph was 32. 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.
Joseph was 32. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 20% of these deaths at Rock Island Police Department; October holds the most, 40%. Wednesdays: 20%.
March holds 5.2% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 55.6% of all 9 deaths at Rock Island Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 20% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 2.9% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Rock Island Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Military Service
Joseph Rosenfield served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joseph Rosenfield’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Rock Island Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
