Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective James Madden was shot and killed by two brothers who were seeking revenge against police for the arrest of their brother-in-law. The brothers, who were intoxicated, had gone to the police station and reported they had been robbed of $8 by a prostitute. Detective Madden and another detective accompanied the men to the alleged crime scene at 709 Walnut Street to investigate. When they returned to the car they found the two brothers asleep in the back. As Detective Madden awakened them one of the brothers drew a pistol and stuck it in Detective Madden's chest. A struggle ensued and the suspect shot Detective Madden in the stomach and chest. The suspect was shot by return gunfire as the other brother fled on foot. Both men were taken into custody. It was later found that the two had made up the robbery story in order to lure the detectives away from the police station. The shooter was convicted of murder and sentenced to prison. He was denied parole in 1922. Detective Madden had served with the East St. Louis Police Department for nearly 3½ years.
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- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-275E993F- 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.
Detective Madden gave the East St. Louis Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the East St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Madden.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective James P. Madden 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. James P. Madden's cause is highlighted.
How James P. Madden Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James P. Madden is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James P. Madden 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.
