Fred Eckles Jr.
Agency patch
Police Officer

Fred Eckles Jr.

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch January 17, 1984
Age 41
Tour of Duty 10 yrs 7 mo
Badge 13561
The Vigil Panel 128 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Police Officer Fred Eckles was shot and killed while serving a search warrant at an apartment at 8051 South Maryland Avenue at 8 pm. Officer Eckles was one of several officers assigned to execute a narcotics warrant. He and his partner announced their office and that they had a warrant. There was no response, and the officers forcibly entered the premises. Upon entry, a gun battle ensued with three armed offenders. Officer Eckles was shot several times during the exchange. Officer Eckles succumbed to his injuries a few hours later. Officer Eckles had served with the Chicago Police Department for over ten years.

Survivors

He is survived by his five sons, two daughters, a sister, and two grandsons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-A10BD4B9
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 Fred. 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.
Police Officer Eckles gave the Chicago Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Eckles.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 17, 1984
Tour of Duty 10 yrs 7 mo
Age 41
Badge Number 13561
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Police Officer Fred Eckles Jr. 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 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.

Chicago Police Department
396
of 571 officers
69.4% 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. Fred Eckles Jr.'s cause is highlighted.

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

How Fred Eckles Jr. Compares

Age at Death
41
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
10.6
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred Eckles Jr. is highlighted in Jan.

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. Fred Eckles Jr. was killed by gun.

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

Incident Location