Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Henderson Trafton was shot and killed by the department's assistant chief of detectives, who held a grudge against the detective. The assistant chief of detectives believed that he was going to be demoted and that Detective Trafton was going to replace him as the assistant chief. The two encountered each other at the intersection of 2nd Street and Missouri Avenue. After exchanging a few words the assistant chief of detectives drew his revolver and told Detective Trafton to put his hands up. After Detective Trafton complied the chief of detectives shot him. Detective Trafton was survived by his wife. He had served with the East St. Louis Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
Detective Trafton was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-477090AE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Henderson. 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.
Detective Trafton gave the East St. Louis Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the East St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Trafton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Henderson D. Trafton 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 97,756 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. Henderson D. Trafton's cause is highlighted.
How Henderson D. Trafton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henderson D. Trafton is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Henderson D. Trafton was killed by handgun.
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.
