William P. Rumbler

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Felonious

End of Watch October 12, 1930

Age 33

Tour of Duty 19 yrs

Badge 2358

The Vigil Panel 60 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 570

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: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 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

Department Chicago Police Department

Location Chicago, IL

Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 12, 1930

Tour of Duty 19 yrs

Age 33

Badge Number 2358

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Arrested

Patrolman William P. Rumbler 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.

Chicago Police Department

396

of 571 officers

69.4% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious