Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Brian Strouse, of the Monroe District, was shot and killed while conducting a surveillance of gang activity near West 18th Place and South Loomis.
Officer Strouse was working as a plainclothes tactical officer. At approximately 2 a.m., he went into an alley and shots began to ring out. Wearing a bulletproof vest and a police badge on his utility belt, Strouse yelled out, "Police, drop your gun.” Five more shots continued until a fatal bullet struck Officer Strouse.
The other two officers ran toward the sound of the gunshots where they found Officer Strouse laying on the ground. He had been shot once in the chest and once in the head. The shot to the chest had been stopped by his vest. Officer Strouse was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds approximately seven hours later.
On September 17th, 2003, the gunman was convicted of first degree murder and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
Officer Strouse was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Chicago Police Department for six years. During his career, he received 61 commendations and a life-saving award.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents and three sisters, one of whom is also a Chicago Police Officer.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-8D277737- 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 Brian. 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.
Police Officer Strouse gave the Chicago Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Thank you 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
Brian Timothy Strouse served in the Marine Corps (1986â1990) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Brian Timothy Strouse 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. Brian Timothy Strouse's cause is highlighted.
How Brian Timothy Strouse Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Brian Timothy Strouse is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Brian Timothy Strouse was killed by handgun; .40 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
