Thomas J. Babbington

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Felonious

End of Watch January 26, 1925

Age 41

Tour of Duty 18 yrs

Badge 575

The Vigil Panel 48 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 570

Incident

Sergeant Thomas J. Babbington was attacked and shot during an arrest at 319 W Root Street. On January 21st, 1925, Sergeant Babbington entered a soft drink parlor in search of a wanted offender. While trying to find the suspect, Sergeant Babbington was stopped by the bartender and several patrons. Sergeant Babbington drew his service weapon and exited the establishment in order to call for back-up. The sergeant entered a taxi cab when several men followed behind him and shot him four times. Sergeant Babbington returned fire but did not shoot any of his killers. Sergeant Babbington was rushed to a local hospital. Before succumbing to his injuries he identified a well-known gangster as one of his shooters. Sergeant Babbington died on January 26th, 1925. The man Sergeant Babbington identified was charged with murder and held without bond. Several of his accomplices were arrested, but later acquitted. The prime suspect's charges were dropped. On March 21st, 1950, his body was found hanging on a barbed-wire fence near Hartsdale, Indiana. He had been shot in the head execution-style. Sergeant Babbington had served with the Chicago Police Department for 18 years. He was survived by his wife and two sons. He is buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-1B1CEC32
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Thomas. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Babbington gave the Chicago Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Babbington.

— 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 January 26, 1925

Tour of Duty 18 yrs

Age 41

Badge Number 575

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Murdered in 1950

Sergeant Thomas J. Babbington 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