Roll of Honor
Richard Joseph Saba
Incident
Special Agent Richard Saba was shot and killed while conducting surveillance in East St. Louis, Illinois. A stakeout of suspected boxcar burglars along the tracks on South 17th Street was being conducting by eight railroad detectives. At 10:15 pm, as Special Agent Saba reported on his radio that he had spotted a group of suspects near the idling freight train, the other detectives heard a gunshot. Special Agent Saba was found, shot in the head, and pronounced dead at the scene. One 20-year-old suspect was taken into custody and four other men were held for questioning. Special Agent Saba had served with the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad Police Department for six years.
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Richard is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Saba gave the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Saba.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Richard Joseph Saba served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1962â1964) before joining law enforcement.
Special Agent Richard Joseph Saba 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 Illinois Central Gulf Railroad Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Joseph Saba's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Joseph Saba Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Joseph Saba is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Joseph Saba was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Military Service
Richard Joseph Saba served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1962–1964) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Richard Joseph Saba’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Illinois Central Gulf Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
