Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Ezra Caldwell and Patrolman Samuel Black were shot and killed after responding to reports of a domestic disturbance at an apartment at 5147 Prairie Avenue. The subject had just shot and killed his wife as the two officers arrived on the scene. He fatally shot Patrolman Black in the face as he entered the apartment. The man then fled downstairs and exchanged shots with Patrolman Caldwell. The assailant was shot three times and wounded, and Patrolman Caldwell was fatally wounded, when the officer slipped and fell as he tried to take cover. The man was shot three more times by other responding officers but recovered to stand trial. He was convicted of murder, sentenced to death, and subsequently executed in the electric chair on October 19th, 1945. Patrolman Caldwell was assigned to the South Wabash Avenue Station.
Survivors
Patrolman Caldwell was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-4D345E78- 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 Caldwell gave the Chicago Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Caldwell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Ezra Caldwell 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. Ezra Caldwell's cause is highlighted.
How Ezra Caldwell Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1945
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Ezra Caldwell is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Ezra Caldwell was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
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