Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Sergeant George C. Burns and Detective Sergeant Bernard Lenehan were shot and killed during a holdup of a saloon on West Madison Street. The two officers had just entered the saloon when several minutes later two men entered with guns and announced a holdup. As Detective Sergeant Burns pulled his service weapon the men opened fire, striking him the abdomen. Detective Sergeant Lenehan was able to return fire. Detective Sergeant Lenehan, who was shot three times, was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds two days later. Several suspects were arrested including a former professional baseball player turned gangster. All were released due to a lack of evidence. Later officials narrowed the murders down to two men. One was never located. The other was shot and killed by Chicago officers on October 26, 1920, after he shot and killed Sergeant Edward W. Marpool of the Chicago Police.
Survivors
Detective Sergeant Burns is survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-6D22A1B4- 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.
Detective Sergeant Burns gave the Chicago Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Burns.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Sergeant George C. Burns 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. George C. Burns's cause is highlighted.
How George C. Burns Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George C. Burns is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George C. Burns was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
