Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Charles Walsh and Patrolman Harold Olson were shot and killed while chasing three mobsters who had just attempted to assassinate one of their rivals. The car carrying the suspects crashed in the 5900 block of South Western Avenue, and the three men exited the car and opened fire on the officers with shotguns. Patrolman Olson and Patrolman Walsh were fatally wounded, and a third patrolman was seriously wounded. The fourth officer returned fire, killing one of the suspects. The officer also chased and apprehended the remaining two suspects. The two suspects were acquitted by a jury but were later murdered by Al Capone in 1929. The two men were hitmen for Al Capone when they murdered Patrolman Olson and Patrolman Walsh. Another one of Al Capone's hitmen murdered Patrolman Charles Skalay, of the St. Joseph, Michigan, Police Department, on December 14th, 1929. Patrolman Walsh, a WWI U.S. Navy veteran, served with the Chicago Police Department for 2-1/2 years and was assigned to the Detective Division Ford Squad 8 C.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-890FA698- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Charles. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Walsh gave the Chicago Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Charles B. Walsh served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Charles B. Walsh 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. Charles B. Walsh's cause is highlighted.
How Charles B. Walsh Compares
Offender Outcome
One shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles B. Walsh is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles B. Walsh was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
