Roll of Honor

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Chief of Detectives

Phillip Reitz

Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Police Department — Gary, IN

Felonious

End of Watch August 7, 1922

The Vigil Panel 43 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Chief of Detectives Phillip Reitz was shot and killed after responding to a call of a citizen who feared for his life during a labor unrest. At about 4:30 am, a non-striking railroad shop foreman was being threatened by 500 striking workers who had surrounded his house on the 600 block of Garnsey Avenue in Joliet. When officers arrived, the railroad workers fatally shot Chief Reitz in the heart, killing him instantly. The striker who allegedly shot Chief Reitz was shot and killed by the Will County Sheriff, who was also wounded in the head and leg.

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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.
Chief of Detectives Reitz served with the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Gary community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Detectives Reitz.

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

Agency

Department Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Police Department

Location Gary, IN

Platform Identity ejerpd.rr.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 7, 1922

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Shot and killed

Chief of Detectives Phillip Reitz 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 IN, 311 of 503 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Police Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

IN — Statewide

311

of 503 officers

61.8% 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. Phillip Reitz'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 Phillip Reitz Compares

Offender Outcome

Shot and killed

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Phillip Reitz is highlighted in Aug.

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. Phillip Reitz was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518