James J. Caplis

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Felonious

End of Watch December 21, 1931

Age 31

Badge 1511

The Vigil Panel 63 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 570

Incident

Detective James Caplis was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery while off duty at the Beach View Garden Café at 804 W. Wilson Avenue. Shortly after 1:00 a.m. five men entered the cafe armed with revolvers and shotguns and ordered the diners against the wall. Detective Caplis was at a table with his date. He loitered behind the other patrons as they walked toward the designated wall. Suddenly he broke away from the other customers and ran to the rear wall while drawing his revolver in an attempt to separate himself from the other robbery victims. He opened exchanged shots with one of the subjects. He pursued the men as they fled from the cafe and continued to exchange shots with them. He was struck by one round and was fatally wounded. Caplis was a winner of The Tribune Monthly Hero Award in June 1928. On December 27, 1931, two 17-year-old juveniles were arrested and confessed that they participated in the slaying. Three other subjects were also arrested and charged with murder. Two juvenile females were also arrested. One of the offenders received 99 years. The two 17-year-olds received 14 years, one was sentenced to 50 years, and the fifth to 20 years in prison. The sentences for both girls were stricken. The one sentenced to 99 years was paroled on March 25th, 1965. The two 17-year-olds were paroled in 1939 and 1941. Both went on to become notorious gangsters. One was shot and killed in 1951 during an armed robbery attempt. The other, who became heavily involved in drugs, was shot and killed in 1954 by rival gang members as he was driving his car.

Survivors

Detective Caplis was survived by his mother, father, and sister.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-08579A4F
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 Caplis served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Caplis.

— 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 December 21, 1931

Age 31

Badge Number 1511

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Offender off duty

Detective James J. Caplis 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