Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Sergeant Bernard Lenehan and Detective Sergeant George Burns were shot and killed during a holdup of a saloon on West Madison Street. The two officers had just entered the saloon when several minutes later two men entered with guns and announced a holdup. As Detective Sergeant Burns pulled his service weapon the men opened fire, striking him the abdomen. Detective Sergeant Lenehan was able to return fire. Detective Sergeant Lenehan, who was shot three times, was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds two days later. Several suspects were arrested including a former professional baseball pitcher turned gangster. All were released due to a lack of evidence. Later officials narrowed the murder's down to two suspects. One was never located. The other was shot and killed by Chicago officers on October 26, 1920, after he murdered Sergeant Edward W. Marpool of the Chicago Police.
Survivors
Detective Sergeant Lenehan is survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-E4ABF937- Stewardship
- 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.
Detective Sergeant Lenehan served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Lenehan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant Bernard J. Lenehan is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bernard J. Lenehan's cause is highlighted.
How Bernard J. Lenehan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bernard J. Lenehan is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bernard J. Lenehan was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
