Roll of Honor
Incident
Park Policeman Harry Busse was shot in the face and killed at the intersection of West Garfield Boulevard and Federal Street when he attempted to take action when he was approached by two armed robbers while off duty. He died from his wounds the following day. Both suspects, ages 16 and 19, were eventually arrested. The 19-year-old suspect admitted to police that he shot Policeman Busse. His mother was also arrested when it was discovered that she had directed her son and his accomplice in more than 200 robberies and other crimes. It was also discovered that he had recently been freed for killing his father, after testifying that he did so to protect his mother. Later, the suspect's 16-year-old sister shot and killed herself. After their arrest, the 16-year-old suspect told police that her mother killed her when she refused to participate in their life of crime. The 19-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. On May 5, 1926, he participated in an escape, along with six other inmates, in which Deputy Warden Peter N. Klein of the Illinois State Prison was stabbed to death. He along with five others were sentenced to death for Warden Klein's murder. On March 12, 1927, all six staged a daring escape from the Will County Jail in Joliet. He was one of three suspects subdued by guards while the other three escaped. He escaped again in June of 1927 and was recaptured by an off-duty Chicago policeman one year later. He was hanged for Warden Klein's murder on October 10, 1928. Park Policeman Busse was a WWI veteran and had served with the South Park District Police Department for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, sister, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-D0583019- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Harry. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Park Policeman Busse gave the South Park District Police Department 4 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
Harry J. Busse served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Park Policeman Harry J. Busse 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 South Park District Police Department, 2 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 20% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry J. Busse's cause is highlighted.
How Harry J. Busse Compares
Offender Outcome
off duty
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry J. Busse is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry J. Busse was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from South Park District Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
