Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Joseph Friesz was shot and killed after arresting a robbery suspect. He and another officer had located the man driving a stolen car. After searching the man and the car Detective Friesz ordered the man to drive it back to the station as the detective rode with him. When the men arrived at the police headquarters the suspect produced a weapon he had hidden in a seat cushion. During the ensuing struggle Detective Friesz was shot twice. Despite being mortally wounded he was able to gain control of the weapon and shot the suspect twice, killing him.
Survivors
Detective Friesz was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-93C5B811- 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 Friesz 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 Friesz.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Joseph B. Friesz 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. Joseph B. Friesz's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph B. Friesz Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph B. Friesz is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph B. Friesz 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.
