Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert Gallowitch was shot and killed while responding to a robbery call at a jewelry store at 8649 South Cottage Grove Avenue. Upon arrival, he discovered three gunmen disguised as telephone repairmen. The offenders kidnapped a telephone truck driver and used the stolen truck while robbing a jewelry store. As Patrolman Gallowitch confronted the three offenders in the alley, the gunmen began shooting. Patrolman Gallowitch sustained fatal gunshot wounds from one of them during the encounter. Patrolman Gallowitch's killer was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to 20 to 40 years. In 1975 he applied for clemency because he had deadly kidney disease but was denied. In 1982 he applied again and was approved for his poor health, but a court of appeals overruled the decision and kept him in prison. Patrolman Gallowitch had served with the Chicago Police Department for less than a year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-F81F59F0- 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 Gallowitch served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gallowitch.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Robert L. Gallowitch 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. Robert L. Gallowitch's cause is highlighted.
How Robert L. Gallowitch Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert L. Gallowitch is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert L. Gallowitch was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
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