Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Frank Wodley and Detective Sergeant Samuel Coppedge were shot and killed during a race riot. Earlier in the day, a car occupied by white men had driven through a black area of the city and fired several shots randomly into a group of citizens. An hour later, the detectives were driving through the same location and were mistaken for the original suspects. Several citizens opened fire as the car drove on Bond Avenue, east of 10th Street, killing both detectives and wounding two patrolmen. The shootings sparked a massive race riot in the city. Thirty-eight black citizens and nine white citizens were killed, although it has been argued ever since that the number of black citizens who were killed was much higher. Ten men were convicted of killing Sergeant Samuel Coppedge and sentenced to 14 years.
Survivors
Detective Wodley was survived by his parents and siblings.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IL-EFCE7273- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Wodley served with the East St. Louis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the East St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Wodley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Franklin J. Wodley 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 East St. Louis Police Department, 18 of 22 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Franklin J. Wodley's cause is highlighted.
How Franklin J. Wodley Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Franklin J. Wodley is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Franklin J. Wodley was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from East St. Louis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
