Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Chris Oberheim was shot and killed at about 3:20 am while responding to a domestic disturbance call at an apartment complex in the 3200 block of North Neil Street.
He and another officer had arrived at the location and were walking from their patrol cars when they encountered a male subject involved in the disturbance. The man opened fire on both officers, fatally wounding Officer Oberheim. The second officer was also wounded but was able to return fire and kill the subject.
The suspect was a convicted felon. Two subjects were convicted of conspiracy to illegally purchase and transfer a firearm and conspiracy to engage in misleading conduct. One was sentenced to 8-1/2 years in prison, and the other was sentenced to four years in prison.
Officer Oberheim had served with the Champaign Police Department for 13 years and had previously served with the Decatur Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-46A612C7- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Oberheim gave the Champaign Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Champaign community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Oberheim.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Christopher Neil Oberheim 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 Champaign Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Christopher Neil Oberheim's cause is highlighted.
How Christopher Neil Oberheim Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Christopher Neil Oberheim is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Christopher Neil Oberheim was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Champaign Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
