Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective James J. Keefe was shot and mortally wounded when he and other officers attempted to arrest a man at 26th and Wallace Streets. The man was wanted for several armed robberies and for shooting a policeman. As soon as the officers began to approach the suspect, he drew his pistol, fired two shots, and ran into a nearby saloon. As the officers entered the saloon, the suspect and the saloon keeper opened fire on them. In an exchange of gunfire, Detective Keefe was shot in the chest, another officer was wounded, the saloon keeper was hit in the arm, and the suspect was hit in the back and leg. The saloon keeper was taken into custody at the scene. The suspect fled, but was taken into custody at a drug store on 41st Street, where he collapsed from a loss of blood. He died later that day. Detective Keefe died on the way to the hospital. The saloon keeper was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The saloon keeper and the suspect had been inmates together in prison. Detective Keefe served with the Chicago Police Department for less than 14 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-03F5244B- 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.
Detective Keefe gave the Chicago Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Keefe.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective James J. Keefe 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. James J. Keefe's cause is highlighted.
How James J. Keefe Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James J. Keefe is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James J. Keefe was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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