Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Edward F. Finegan was shot and killed while transporting two prisoners whom he had just arrested. The men were riding in the backseat of the patrol car when one of them suddenly pulled out a revolver and shot Patrolman Finegan in the head twice. They threw his body onto the roadway at the intersection of Washtenaw Avenue and Pershing Road before fleeing. He was taken to the hospital, where he died a short time later. The 19-year-old suspect was convicted of murder and hanged at the Cook County Jail on October 29th, 1926. Patrolman Finegan was United States Army WWI veteran and had served with the Chicago Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-9C15C36D- 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 Finegan gave the Chicago Police Department 4 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
Edward F. Finegan served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Edward F. Finegan 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. Edward F. Finegan's cause is highlighted.
How Edward F. Finegan Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1926
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Edward F. Finegan is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Edward F. Finegan was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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