Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Samuel M. Black and Patrolman Ezra Caldwell were shot and killed after responding to reports of a domestic disturbance at an apartment at 5147 Prairie Avenue. The subject had just shot and killed his wife as the two officers arrived on the scene. He fatally shot Patrolman Black in the face as he entered the apartment. The man then fled downstairs and exchanged shots with Patrolman Caldwell. The assailant was shot three times and wounded, and Patrolman Caldwell was fatally wounded, when the officer slipped and fell as he tried to take cover. The man was shot three more times by other responding officers but recovered to stand trial. He was convicted of murder, sentenced to death, and subsequently executed in the electric chair on October 19th, 1945. Patrolman Black had served with the Chicago Police Department for 27 years and was assigned to the South Wabash Avenue Station (modern day District 2).
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-A8F39933- 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
27 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Black gave the Chicago Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Black.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Samuel M. Black 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. Samuel M. Black's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel M. Black Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1945
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel M. Black is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel M. Black was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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