Elmer R. Ostling

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Felonious

End of Watch July 22, 1933

Age 38

Badge 1189

The Vigil Panel 66 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 570

Incident

Patrolman Elmer Ostling and Patrolman John Skopek were shot and killed when they made a traffic stop of a speeding car in front of 2838 Washington Boulevard. Unbeknownst to both officers, the vehicle they had stopped had been stolen three weeks earlier and was being used in the commission of crimes. Both officers approached the car on the passenger side and asked the occupants to exit the vehicle. The men stepped out and immediately produced revolvers and opened fire. Both officers were shot several times and were only able to return fire one time each. Patrolman Skopek was killed instantly. Patrolman Ostling was taken to Franklin Boulevard Hospital where he died a short time later. The identity of the suspects remained a mystery until October 10th, 1937, when a captured escapee from the Illinois State Penitentiary confessed to the murders. He named two accomplices, one who escaped with him who was shot and killed during the capture. The other suspect was apprehended and also confessed to the murders. Both suspects were convicted of murder and sentenced to 199 years in prison. One died in prison on June 18th, 1951. Patrolman Skopek was survived by his wife and son.

Survivors

Patrolman Skopek was survived by his wife and son. Patrolman Ostling was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-E102D7E7
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 Ostling served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ostling.

— 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 July 22, 1933

Age 38

Badge Number 1189

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to 199 years

Patrolman Elmer R. Ostling 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