Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Charles Eichhorst was slain by gunmen as he attempted to intervene in a robbery in progress at a grocery store at 2540 W. Lawrence Avenue. Upon arrival, he observed a subject walking away from the front door. Sergeant Eichhorst ordered this man to stop and put his hands on the wall of the building. After ordering this man several times to stop and drawing his service revolver, the subject put his hands up against the wall. As Sergeant Eichhorst was about to search the man, another offender came running out the front door, unobserved by Sergeant Eichhorst. The second subject fatally shot Sergeant Eichhorst in the right temple, killing him instantly. Both offenders were successful in eluding the police, and it was determined that a friend drove them to Gary, Indiana. A nationwide search was instituted, and warrants were obtained as the Federal Bureau of Investigation entered the case. On December 15th, 1965, special agents with the FBI arrested Sergeant Eichhorst's killer in Miami, Florida, and on December 29th, 1965, the second offender surrendered at the FBI's Chicago Office. A grand jury indicted both for murder on January 5th, 1966. On July 29th, 1966, both men were found guilty of armed robbery and murder. On August 26th, 1966, the first offender was sentenced to 75 to 100 years for murder and 20 to 40 years for the robbery. The shooter was sentenced to 100 to 200 years for murder and 24 to 40 years for robbery. Sergeant Eichhorst was a United States National Guard World War II veteran and had served with the Chicago Police Department for over 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-B439E4A3- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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.
Sergeant Eichhorst gave the Chicago Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago 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
Charles E. Eichhorst served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Sergeant Charles E. Eichhorst is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 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 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
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. Charles E. Eichhorst's cause is highlighted.
How Charles E. Eichhorst Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 100+ years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles E. Eichhorst is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles E. Eichhorst was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
