Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Robert F. Wenzel was shot and killed during a traffic stop in the 1900 block of North Lake Shore Drive. At some point during the traffic stop, the motorist drew a revolver and fired two shots. Despite being wounded, he was able to return fire and struck the subject multiple times. The killer was found guilty of Patrolman Wenzel's murder and sentenced to 75 to 150 years in prison. He died in prison on June 26th, 2011. Patrolman Wenzel was a United States Coast Guard Reserve veteran and served with the Chicago Police Department for 12 years, receiving one Honor Mention and 11 Letters of Commendation. He is survived by his wife and four children. He is buried at Acacia Park Cemetery and Mausoleum in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-4266C485- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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 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 Wenzel gave the Chicago Police Department 12 years.
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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Robert F. Wenzel served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Robert F. Wenzel 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 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 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
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 F. Wenzel's cause is highlighted.
How Robert F. Wenzel Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert F. Wenzel is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert F. Wenzel was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
