Roll of Honor

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Patrolman

Robert J. Strugala

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Veteran → Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch June 16, 1974

Age 29

Tour of Duty 1 yrs

Badge 10236

The Vigil Panel 114 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 570

Incident

Patrolman Robert J. Strugala was killed, and his partner was seriously wounded in a gun battle at 3157 W. 26th Street. He and his partner were stopped at a red light at 26th and Kedzie when they heard gunfire. Both officers drew their revolvers and rushed into the establishment. Patrolman Strugala entered through the front door and his partner through the side entrance. Patrolman Strugala’s partner ordered the gunman to drop his weapon, but the man turned towards him, holding a gun. The officer fired once, striking the man in the shoulder. Simultaneously, gunfire erupted from across the room. Patrolman Strugala was killed, and his partner was hit in the leg, arm, and abdomen. The force of the bullets from the .38 automatic knocked the second officer out of the entrance and into the street. Two tactical officers on patrol saw the events unfold and rushed to their aid. His partner made a full recovery and returned to duty, retiring after 34 years of service on June 15th, 2004. On July 19th, 2004, the Illinois Parole Board released Patrolman Strugala's killer from custody after serving only 30 years of his 100-year sentence. Patrolman Robert Strugala was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and was assigned to the Marquette District.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-BE5FDAD2
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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. Robert is one person.

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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.
Patrolman Strugala gave the Chicago Police Department 1 year.
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 June 16, 1974

Tour of Duty 1 yrs

Age 29

Badge Number 10236

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Military Service

Robert J. Strugala served in the the United States military (1963â1967) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Patrolman Robert J. Strugala 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