Frank E. Schoonmaker

Baton Rouge Police Dept. — Baton Rouge, LA

Felonious

End of Watch October 24, 1931

The Vigil Panel 63 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 26

Incident

Chief of Detectives Frank Schoonmaker was shot and killed while searching for two suspects who had just robbed a man of $12 and a pair of shoes at the Baton Rouge railroad yards. Unknown to Detective Shoonmaker, the subjects had escaped prison in Mississippi. One suspect shot him as he searched the second suspect. The men fled but were apprehended two hours later. The suspect was convicted of murder and hanged on February 3, 1933.

Survivors

Detective Schoonmaker, who also served as the city's elected constable, was survived by his wife and 8-year-old daughter.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Chief of Detectives Schoonmaker served with the Baton Rouge Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Baton Rouge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Detectives Schoonmaker.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Baton Rouge Police Dept.

Location Baton Rouge, LA

Platform Identity brpd.ebr.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 24, 1931

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Executed in 1933

Chief of Detectives Frank E. Schoonmaker 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Baton Rouge Police Dept., 17 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this agency's fallen.

Baton Rouge Police Dept.

of 27 officers

63% Felonious

LA — Statewide

364

of 595 officers

61.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious