Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Rumbler was shot to death in a battle with three holdup men while off duty. He was visiting a friend who owned a soft drink parlor at 3174 Milwaukee Avenue. A man entered the establishment and asked for an individual. The store owner replied that no such person was there. At that time, two additional men entered and ordered Patrolman Rumbler, the store owner, and two porters to put their hands up. Everyone complied until one of the gunmen started to search Patrolman Rumbler. The policeman suddenly drew his gun and opened fire. All three bandits returned fire, shooting him 11 times. Patrolman Rumbler was taken to Belmont Hospital where he died several minutes after his arrival. Two of the suspects were convicted of Patrolman Rumbler's murder and sentenced to 60 years each on May 22nd, 1931. One was paroled on February 26th, 1955. His sentence was reduced for participating in malaria treatment experiments during WWII. He was arrested five years later for possession of burglary tools. The third suspect escaped, and three additional suspects were indicted but discharged. Patrolman Rumbler had served with the Chicago Police Department for 19 years and was assigned to the East Chicago Avenue Station.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-25161867- 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 Rumbler gave the Chicago Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Rumbler.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William P. Rumbler 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. William P. Rumbler's cause is highlighted.
How William P. Rumbler Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William P. Rumbler is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William P. Rumbler was killed by gun.
Incident Location
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