Durward Faldine Geddes
Agency patch
Special Agent

Durward Faldine Geddes

Felonious
End of Watch April 28, 1932
Age 30
The Vigil Panel 64 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Special Agent Durward Geddes was shot and killed with his own weapon while attempting to eject a hobo from a passenger train in Galesburg, Illinois.

The 21-year-old subject with Agent Geddes' service weapon but was arrested a short time later. He was tried for murder and acquitted.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-3531BD3F
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Durward. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Geddes served with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Geddes.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, IL
Platform Identity cbqrpd.rr.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 28, 1932
Age 30
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

Special Agent Durward Faldine Geddes 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, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department, 4 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.

Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department
4
of 7 officers
57.1% Felonious
IL — Statewide
842
of 1,318 officers
63.9% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Durward Faldine Geddes's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Durward Faldine Geddes Compares

Age at Death
30
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Durward Faldine Geddes is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Durward Faldine Geddes was killed by officer's handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location