Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman Lyman Stahl was shot and killed while and four other officers responded to the Proviso Train Yard after receiving reports that a woman was screaming.
The railyard contained a rail camp where several dozen men were living in boxcars. As the officers approached the boxcars through an open field someone in the camp opened fire, killing Policeman Stahl and wounding a second officer. The other officers returned fire, killing one subject. Officers from numerous nearby agencies responded to the railyard and arrested over 30 men and one woman.
Officer Stahl was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI and had served with the Melrose Park Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-184BBE55- 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.
Policeman Stahl gave the Melrose Park Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Melrose Park community. Thank you 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
Lyman James Stahl served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Policeman Lyman James Stahl 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 Melrose Park Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lyman James Stahl's cause is highlighted.
How Lyman James Stahl Compares
Offender Outcome
Arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lyman James Stahl is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lyman James Stahl was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Melrose Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
