Harry E. White, II
Agency patch
Sergeant

Harry E. White, II

Waukegan Police Department — Waukegan, IL
Felonious
End of Watch November 13, 1977
Age 30
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
The Vigil Panel 119 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sergeant Harry White was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for murdering his wife. The suspect was spotted in a tavern in Winthrop Harbor. The Waukegan Police Department was notified and Sergeant White responded to the scene. When he attempted to arrest the suspect, the man produced a handgun and shot the officer, killing him. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death, but he was later resentenced to life in prison and died in July 1990. Sergeant White had served with the Waukegan Police Department for six years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two sons.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-3F5040CD
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.
Sergeant White gave the Waukegan Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waukegan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant White.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Waukegan, IL
Platform Identity wpd.lake.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 13, 1977
Tour of Duty 6 yrs
Age 30
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun
Offender Died in 1990

Sergeant Harry E. White, II 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 Waukegan Police Department, 1 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.3% of this agency's fallen.

Waukegan Police Department
1
of 3 officers
33.3% Felonious
IL — Statewide
842
of 1,318 officers
63.9% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry E. White, II's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Harry E. White, II Compares

Age at End of Watch
30
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
6
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Died in 1990

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry E. White, II is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry E. White, II was killed by handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Others Who Wore This Badge

2 officers from Waukegan Police Department are honored on badge.nw.