Incident
Police Officer Thor Soderberg was shot and killed in an apparent robbery attempt at about 3:45 pm near 61st Street and Racine Avenue.
Officer Soderberg was returning to his vehicle at the end of his shift when he struggled with a male subject who approached from behind and was able to gain control of his service weapon, fatally shooting him in the face, head, and back. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the former Englewood District station used by the Targeted Response Unit.
The suspect, a convicted felon, then fled and attempted to commit an armed robbery nearby. Other officers inside the police facility responded and exchanged gunfire with the 24-year-old man, critically wounding him. He has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and armed robbery.
In August 2015, the subject was convicted of first degree murder. On September 23, 2015, he was sentenced to life plus 115 years.
Officer Soderberg had served with the Chicago Police Department for nearly 11 years and was an instructor in the Education and Training Division. He was a US Army veteran.
Survivors
Officer Soderberg is survived by his wife, four siblings, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-FB7CEF44- 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.
Police Officer Soderberg gave the Chicago Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Thank you 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
Thor Odin Soderberg served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Thor Odin Soderberg 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. Thor Odin Soderberg's cause is highlighted.
How Thor Odin Soderberg Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thor Odin Soderberg is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thor Odin Soderberg was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
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