LaVaughn V. White, Sr.

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch June 5, 1961

Age 38

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

Badge 7473

The Vigil Panel 96 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 570

Incident

Patrolman LaVaughn V. White was gunned shot and killed while off duty when he interrupted a robbery in a business that was below his apartment at 121 East 79th Street. Four men walked into the business and placed an order. About 15 minutes later, Patrolman White left the business and went to his apartment above. A few minutes later, the men announced a hold-up. As the cash register was being emptied, the owner of the business observed Patrolman White walking his dog. One of the hold-up men ordered the owner of the business to call Patrolman White over, and as he was about to enter the business, the owner ran out to summon help. A gunfight ensued and Patrolman White fell, fatally shot. He managed to shoot and critically wound one of the men. Investigation at the scene revealed a wallet that was dropped in the business during the hold-up and the murder. The owner of this wallet was identified by a photo as one of the gunmen who was wounded. From the information he gave the other three assailants were arrested and charged with the murder of Patrolman White. All four gunmen were indicted by a grand jury on June 22nd, 1961, for murder. On November 30th, 1961, the defendants waived a jury trial and pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. The four were sentenced to 99 years in the Illinois State Penitentiary. The 20-year-old wounded suspect recovered fully and was paroled in 1974. During his imprisonment, he earned a college degree in sociology and psychology and was said to be a model inmate. On November 6th, 1983, he was arrested in Chicago and charged with the murder of a man in Springfield on June 17th, 1982. Patrolman White was a military veteran and had served with the Chicago Police Department for eight years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-1FA1A766
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 LaVaughn. 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 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.
Patrolman White gave the Chicago Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— 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 June 5, 1961

Tour of Duty 8 yrs

Age 38

Badge Number 7473

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Not available

Offender Sentenced to 99 years

Military Service

LaVaughn V. White, Sr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman LaVaughn V. White, Sr. 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