Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman George H. Helstern and Patrolman Charles Brady were shot and killed as they approached a suspicious person at the corner of N. Clark Street and W. Lunt Avenue at 11. Once they announced they were police officers, the subject fired at the officers. Despite returning fire, the subject was not hit and was able to flee. Both officers sustained fatal gunshot wounds in the encounter. Patrolman Helstern was killed instantly. Patrolman Brady was transported to St. Francis Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds over three hours later. In December 1945, the killer was shot and killed by members of his own gang in fear that he would turn in other gang members. Patrolman Helstern was a United States Navy Reserve WWI veteran and had served with the Chicago Police Department for almost 28 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, and six siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-C031A09F- 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 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.
Patrolman Helstern gave the Chicago Police Department 27 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community, and 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
George H. Helstern served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman George H. Helstern 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. George H. Helstern's cause is highlighted.
How George H. Helstern Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George H. Helstern is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George H. Helstern was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
