Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman David F. Keating was shot and killed when he stopped two juveniles carrying a suspicious package at the intersection of W. Root Steet and S. La Salle Street. As Patrolman Keating went to investigate, one of the boys pulled a revolver from the package and shot him nine times. Both boys, ages 16 and 17, turned themselves over to the police several hours later and were charged with murder. The 17-year-old was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. It was determined that he was the one who shot Patrolman Keating. On April 18th, 1951, his sentence was commuted to 199 years. The murder charge against the other suspect was dropped. Patrolman Keating was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and served with the Chicago Police Department for 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-74E5ACC0- 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.
Patrolman Keating gave the Chicago Police Department 10 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
David F. Keating served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman David F. Keating 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. David F. Keating's cause is highlighted.
How David F. Keating Compares
Offender Outcome
suspicious person
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David F. Keating is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David F. Keating was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
