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Probationary Patrolman

Ralph S. Souders

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch December 19, 1922

Age 29

Tour of Duty 2 mo

Badge 360

The Vigil Panel 44 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 570

Incident

Probationary Patrolman Ralph Souders was shot and killed while attempting to stop a robbery at a local store at 5361 South Morgan Street. Patrolman Souders had been assigned to guard the store as the result of a string of recent robberies. Two men entered the back room of the store and immediately held Patrolman Souders at gunpoint. A moment later, Patrolman Souders lunged at one of the suspects, who opened fire, killing him. Both suspects were taken into custody. The gunman was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. His accomplice was sentenced to life. On June 20th, 1925, the gunman attacked his accomplice in prison with a knife and stabbed him five times. He died the next day. A few weeks later, the gunman killed himself by setting his clothes on fire. Patrolman Souders was a United States WWI veteran and served with the Chicago Police Department for two months. He was survived by his expectant wife and son. He is buried in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Section T, Hillside, Cook County, Illinois.

Survivors

He was survived by his expectant wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-EE73BECB
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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Probationary Patrolman Souders served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Chicago Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Chicago, Cook County, IL

Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 19, 1922

Tour of Duty 2 mo

Age 29

Badge Number 360

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

Military Service

Ralph S. Souders served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Probationary Patrolman Ralph S. Souders 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 97,759 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.

Chicago Police Department

396

of 571 officers

69.4% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,759 officers

0% Felonious