Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman David Boitano was shot and killed in an ambush at the intersection of Elm Street and Townsend Street (modern-day Hudson Avenue). He was in plainclothes while investigating members of the Italian mafia known as the Black Hand Gang. Due to his efforts to arrest members of the gang he had been marked for death. He was standing on the corner when a member of the gang ran up to him and shot him several times, killing him. On December 22, 1928, the man was apprehended in Los Angeles, California. It was learned that he had also murdered another man six days before murdering Patrolman Boitano.
Survivors
Patrolman Boitano was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-78AE147E- 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 Boitano served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Boitano.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman David Boitano 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. David Boitano's cause is highlighted.
How David Boitano Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Boitano is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Boitano was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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