Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Orville Litchfield and Night Chief John Leonard, of the Toluca Police Department, were shot and killed when they attempted to arrest a man for beating his wife.
The suspect escaped after the murders and was the focus of a large manhunt. He was arrested by Evanston, Illinois, detectives in July 1926.
The 60 year-old suspect was convicted of murder and died in prison on May 11, 1933.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-665B0B01- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Litchfield served with the Marshall County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lacon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Litchfield.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Orville L. Litchfield is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 10 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Marshall County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Orville L. Litchfield's cause is highlighted.
How Orville L. Litchfield Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Orville L. Litchfield is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Orville L. Litchfield was killed by gun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Marshall County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
