Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Michael Oakley was shot and mortally wounded when he became engaged in a shootout with possible robbers at the intersection of Damen Avenue and Bloomingdale Avenue as he walked home. He was transported to a local hospital where he died the following day. The main suspect, who was arrested and released, was a notorious gangster and known as the "king of beer runners" during prohibition. He was known to have grudges against several police officers. He survived more than a dozen assassination attempts and on September 25th, 1925 he survived the first machine gun attack in United States history. He died in 1962 of a heart attack. Patrolman Oakley was assigned to the Summerdale Station.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-62170B0E- 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 Oakley served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Oakley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Michael W. Oakley 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. Michael W. Oakley's cause is highlighted.
How Michael W. Oakley Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael W. Oakley is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael W. Oakley was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
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