Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Marshal Benjamin Schmitt was shot and killed while investigating two suspicious subjects at the Baltimore and Ohio railroad station platform. Marshal Schmitt approached two male subjects who were sitting on the platform and during questioning, a heated exchange ensued. As Marshal Schmitt reached for his service weapon, one of the subjects pulled a .32-caliber revolver from his overcoat pocket, fired once and struck Marshal Schmitt in the heart, killing him. A lynching was threatened by a mob of citizens who had caught the suspect responsible for shooting Marshal Schmitt nearby, but the prisoner was taken into custody by the mayor and another officer. He claimed at trial that he shot Marshal Schmitt in self-defense and was found not guilty. The second suspect was later arrested. Marshal Schmitt had served with the O'Fallon Police Department for three years.
Night Marshal Benjamin Schmitt was shot and killed while investigating two suspicious subjects at the Baltimore and Ohio railroad station platform.
Marshal Schmitt approached two male subjects who were sitting on the platform and during questioning, a heated exchange ensued. As Marshal Schmitt reached for his service weapon, one of the subjects pulled a .32-caliber revolver from his overcoat pocket, fired once and struck Marshal Schmitt in the heart, killing him.
A lynching was threatened by a mob of citizens who had caught the suspect responsible for shooting Marshal Schmitt nearby, but the prisoner was taken into custody by the mayor and another officer. He claimed at trial that he shot Marshal Schmitt in self-defense and was found not guilty. The second suspect was later arrested.
Marshal Schmitt had served with the O'Fallon Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
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- 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.
Night Marshal Schmitt gave the O'Fallon Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the O'Fallon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Schmitt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Marshal Benjamin B. Schmitt 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Benjamin B. Schmitt's cause is highlighted.
How Benjamin B. Schmitt Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Benjamin B. Schmitt is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Benjamin B. Schmitt was killed by handgun; .32 caliber.