Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

Joseph Zentgraf

Madison Police Department — Madison, IL

Felonious

End of Watch September 8, 1923

Age 37

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

The Vigil Panel 45 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Patrolman Joseph Zentgraf was shot and killed as he and another man attempted to disarm two subjects who were firing guns into the air.

One of the men was shot and killed. The other man was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Patrolman Zentgraf had served with the Madison Police Department for five years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-69EEA65D
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.
Patrolman Zentgraf gave the Madison Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Madison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Zentgraf.

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

Agency

Department Madison Police Department

Location Madison, IL

Platform Identity mpd.madison.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 8, 1923

Tour of Duty 5 yrs

Age 37

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Shot and killed

Patrolman Joseph Zentgraf 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%.

Madison Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph Zentgraf's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How Joseph Zentgraf Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Zentgraf is highlighted in Sep.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Zentgraf was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518