Joseph E. Chapman, Jr.

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Felonious

End of Watch May 8, 1960

Age 57

Tour of Duty 31 yrs

Badge 6239

The Vigil Panel 95 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 570

Incident

Patrolman Joseph E. Chapman, Jr. was shot and killed at 5302 S. Indiana Avenue when he interrupted a robbery in progress while off duty. He and the store's owner were friends and were and were visiting. Just before the fatal shooting, Patrolman Chapman went to the rear of the store to use the bathroom. A subject entered the store, jumped the counter, and announced a robbery to the clerk. At this time, Patrolman Chapman entered the store from the rear, identified himself, and then exchanged shots with the subject. Both Patrolman Chapman and the subject were fatally wounded. Patrolman Chapman was struck five times and died on the operating table at Provident Hospital. Patrolman Chapman had served with the Chicago Police Department for 31 years. He was survived by his wife and six daughters. His wife also served with the Chicago Police Department and was assigned to the Youth Bureau.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and six daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-069E73B2
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

31 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Chapman gave the Chicago Police Department 31 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Chapman.

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

Agency

Department Chicago Police Department

Location Chicago, IL

Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 8, 1960

Tour of Duty 31 yrs

Age 57

Badge Number 6239

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed

Patrolman Joseph E. Chapman, Jr. 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 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

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious