Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Frank Crowley was shot and killed while he was doing extra duty because extra military troops which were stationed at Camps Lincoln and Dunne. His usual duties were those of auto driver on the midnight shift, and he had been noticed for his nerve and daring in making desperate runs for murder and burglar calls. Detective Crowley and his partner were walking their beat on East Madison Street a few minutes before midnight. They heard shots in the area of Eleventh and Madison streets and began walking in that direction when they saw more than a dozen militiamen approaching them. At the northeast corner of Madison and Tenth streets, the soldiers came under the light. The officers were crossing the street in their direction when an unidentified soldier shot Detective Crowley in the left side just above the heart. Detective Crowley died a few minutes later while police were transporting him to St. John’s Hospital. A soldier from Chicago confessed to the murder and was sentenced to life in prison but was released in 1951. Detective Crowley had served with the Springfield Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-9CE26202- 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 Crowley gave the Springfield Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Crowley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Frank J. Crowley 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 Springfield Police Department, 9 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 90% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Frank J. Crowley's cause is highlighted.
How Frank J. Crowley Compares
Offender Outcome
Released in 1951
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Frank J. Crowley is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Frank J. Crowley was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
