Edward M. O'Donnell

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Felonious

End of Watch June 9, 1931

Badge 3363

The Vigil Panel 62 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 570

Incident

Patrolman Edward O'Donnell was shot and killed as he attempted to place an armed robber under arrest in front of 25 North Green Street. Patrolman O'Donnell was providing security to a businesswoman transporting cash and checks from a bakery to the bank. While en route, they were confronted by two armed robbers. When Patrolman O'Donnell attempted to arrest one offender the second fired a fatal shot. Both suspects were apprehended minutes later by a civilian and two officers. Both were convicted of Patrolman O'Donnell's murder and sentenced to 145 years in prison. One was paroled on October 2nd, 1961. The other had his sentence reduced to 60 years during WWII because he participated in malaria experiments. He applied for parole in 1955. Patrolman O'Donnell was assigned to the Des Plaines Street Station. He was survived by his wife, three children, and three brothers. One of his brothers also served with the Chicago Police Department and the other two served with the Chicago Fire Department.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, three children, and three brothers.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-B78722AE
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.
Patrolman O'Donnell served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Donnell.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Chicago Police Department

Location Chicago, IL

Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 9, 1931

Badge Number 3363

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to 145 years

Patrolman Edward M. O'Donnell 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.

Chicago Police Department

396

of 571 officers

69.4% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious