Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Frank Svec and Patrolman Edger Chatterton were shot and killed by a man they attempted to serve a warrant on for truancy, as he had refused to send his two children to school because he opposed vaccination. As the two officers stood on the front porch of the home, the suspect fired several times through his glass front door. The suspect was captured a few minutes later and stated he thought the two officers were burglars but was convicted of Sergeant Svec's murder and sentenced to life in prison on August 2, 1933. On October 18, 1934, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed and remanded the conviction and sentence, stating there was reasonable doubt. He received a new trial but much to the horror of the Berwyn Police and citizens, no one was notified about the new trial. When no one from the first trial showed up in court, the murder charge was dismissed, and he went home. Sergeant Svec had served with the Berwyn Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-3DD142DB- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Svec gave the Berwyn Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Berwyn community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Svec.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Frank Svec 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 Berwyn Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank Svec's cause is highlighted.
How Frank Svec Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1934
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank Svec is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank Svec was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Berwyn Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
