Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman George Staats was shot and killed while checking a freight train for trespassers. He was shot as he opened a sliding door on one of the boxcars. A wire notice had been received to search trains for two suspects in connection with an attempted robbery in Godfrey. Patrolman Staats and another officer were dispatched and began searching boxcars at the station. When Patrolman Staats opened the door of the boxcar the two suspects were hiding in they began shooting. Both officers took cover and the suspects fled past a high school building. Patrolman Staats was found by the other officer by the depot building and he was rushed to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. One suspect, 26-years-old, was later arrested near Bunker Hill. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was given the choice of being executed by hanging or serving a life sentence and chose the latter. The other suspect escaped. A few days later his body was found in a reservoir near Gillespie. The cause of death could not be determined. The other suspect blamed the murder on him. Patrolman Staats had served with the Carlinville Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-4A221894- 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.
Patrolman Staats gave the Carlinville Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Carlinville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Staats.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman George Staats 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. George Staats's cause is highlighted.
How George Staats Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Staats is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George Staats was killed by handgun.