Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Joseph Hastings was shot and killed as he interrupted an armed robbery in progress on Navy Pier. He was conducting routine checks on various businesses on his beat when he came upon several gunmen, including one juvenile, committing an armed robbery at a welfare office. The office was being used to issue welfare payments to citizens affected by the Great Depression. The offenders opened fire, fatally wounding Patrolman Hastings in the encounter. The man who shot him was convicted of murder and subsequently executed in the electric chair on October 13th, 1933. Patrolman Hastings had served with the Chicago Police Department for over two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five sisters, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-6D57E759- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Hastings gave the Chicago Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Hastings.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Joseph P. Hastings 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 P. Hastings's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph P. Hastings Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph P. Hastings is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph P. Hastings was killed by gun.
Incident Location
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