Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police James Yeoman died from gunshot wounds he suffered the day before as he attempted to arrest two men standing on the Illinois Central Railroad platform. After receiving reports of shots being fired at motorists, Chief Yeoman approached the suspicious men and began questioning them. As he ordered them to accompany him to the police station, one of the subjects suddenly pulled out a gun and opened fire, striking Chief Yeoman three times in the abdomen. He was able to return fire, wounding the gunman in the head, before collapsing. The gunman then exchanged shots with another police officer who was nearby, from Specialville which is present-day Dixmoor, striking him twice in the lung. Both officers and the gunman were transported to Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, where Chief Yeoman died the following day. The unarmed, second suspect who fled the scene was captured a short time later.
Survivors
Chief Yeoman was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-42D75CF2- Stewardship
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- 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.
Chief of Police Yeoman served with the Hazel Crest Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Hazel Crest community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Yeoman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police James Yeoman 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Yeoman's cause is highlighted.
How James Yeoman Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and wounded
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Yeoman is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Yeoman was killed by handgun.