Roll of Honor
Fred H. Wells
Incident
Location: Illinois Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Shot and wounded
Railroad Detective Fred Wells was shot and killed when he interrupted several men burglarizing a rail car in Peoria, Illinois, at approximately 5:00 am.
Detective Wells was engaged in a shootout at the foot of Cedar Street with the men and was struck three times. His body was not found until about 7:00 am after police were notified that a man suffering gunshot wounds had been taken to a local hospital.
Peoria police officers investigating the shooting were told that shots had been heard near the rail yards. As they searched the yards they discovered the body of Detective Wells.
The wounded subject confessed to the shooting and claimed that he acted alone, however, several other suspects were taken into custody in connection with the murder.
The suspect was convicted of murder, sentenced to 14 years, and eventually released. In 1932 he and his father burglarized two stores in East Moline.
Detective Wells had served with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department for four years.
Det. Wells, On today, the 100th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice as a Law Enforcement Officer.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol December 3rd, 2021
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-282AE412- 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.
Railroad Detective Wells gave the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Detective Wells.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Railroad Detective Fred H. Wells 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, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department, 4 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Fred H. Wells's cause is highlighted.
How Fred H. Wells Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and wounded
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Fred H. Wells is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Fred H. Wells was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
