Wallace Blakleigh "Chappie" Chapman
Incident
Officer Chapman was shot to death while arresting a man who two women said had been insulting him. While at a call box at 8th and Poplar streets, the suspect knocked Officer Chapman down, took his service revolver, and shot him repeatedly. The 21-year-old suspect was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life in prison. Officer Chapman was a U.S Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Philadelphia Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-7507E356- 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 Chapman gave the Philadelphia Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia 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
Wallace Blakleigh "Chappie" Chapman served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Wallace Blakleigh "Chappie" Chapman 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wallace Blakleigh "Chappie" Chapman's cause is highlighted.
How Wallace Blakleigh "Chappie" Chapman Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wallace Blakleigh "Chappie" Chapman is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wallace Blakleigh "Chappie" Chapman was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
377 officers from Philadelphia Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















