Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Oliver J. Singleton, who had been paralyzed following a gun battle, succumbed to his wounds some 10 months later. Detective Singleton and his partner were wounded when they and other policemen foiled a robbery on January 24, 1969, at the Bell and Howell plant in Lincolnwood near the 7100 block of McCormick Boulevard. Two of the armed robbers were killed at the scene and two were captured. Detective Singleton testified from a stretcher on October 13th in criminal court against one of the surviving defendants. He was convicted of attempted murder, attempted armed robbery, aggravated battery and conspiracy. A World War II veteran, Detective Singleton was assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, parents, two sisters, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-4060C000- 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.
Detective Singleton gave the Chicago Police Department 17 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Oliver J. Singleton served in the Other (1944â1946) before joining law enforcement.
Detective Oliver J. Singleton 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Oliver J. Singleton's cause is highlighted.
How Oliver J. Singleton Compares
Offender Outcome
2 killed at scene, 2 captured
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Oliver J. Singleton is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Oliver J. Singleton was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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