Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Harold Olson and Patrolman Charles Walsh were shot and killed while chasing three mobsters who had just attempted to assassinate one of their rivals. The car carrying the assailants crashed in the 5900 block of South Western Avenue. As the three men exited the car, they opened fire on the officers with shotguns. Patrolmen Olson and Walsh were fatally wounded and a third patrolman was seriously wounded. A fourth officer returned fire, killing one of the killers. The officer also chased and apprehended the remaining two gunmen. The two gunmen were acquitted by a jury but later murdered by Al Capone in 1929. The two men were hitmen for Al Capone when they murdered Patrolman Olson and Patrolman Walsh. Patrolman Olson had served with the Chicago Police Department for almost three years and was assigned to the Detective Division Ford Squad 8 C.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother and five brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-D4F77067- 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 Olson gave the Chicago Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Olson.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Harold F. Olson 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. Harold F. Olson's cause is highlighted.
How Harold F. Olson Compares
Offender Outcome
One shot and killed; Two apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harold F. Olson is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harold F. Olson was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
