Roll of Honor
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
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Joseph E. Chapman 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph E. Chapman Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Joseph E. Chapman Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph E. Chapman Jr. is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph E. Chapman Jr. was killed by gun.
Incident Location
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