Incident
Detective Henry Bodendieck succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier while questioning a burglary suspect at 40th Street and Waverly Avenue. He and several other officers had been searching for the suspect when they stopped by a local candy store to use the phone to report in. As the other officers made the call Detective Bodendieck recognized the suspect sitting at a booth in the store. Detective Bodendieck asked the man's name and the man identified himself. When Detective Bodendieck ordered the man to stand up the man produced a revolver and opened fire, killing him. The suspect attempted to flee but was apprehended by the other officers in the store. The man was convicted of Detective Bodendieck's murder and sentenced to death but had the sentence reduced to life in prison after winning an appeal.
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BO-US-IL-0DDC5AFD- Stewardship
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- 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.
Detective Bodendieck 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 Bodendieck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Henry Bodendieck 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 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. Henry Bodendieck's cause is highlighted.
How Henry Bodendieck Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Henry Bodendieck is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Henry Bodendieck was killed by handgun; revolver.
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.










