Durward Faldine Geddes
Agency patch
Special Agent

Durward Faldine Geddes

Felonious
End of Watch April 28, 1932
Age 30
The Vigil Panel 64 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Special Agent Durward Geddes was shot and killed with his own weapon while attempting to eject a hobo from a passenger train in Galesburg, Illinois.

The 21-year-old subject with Agent Geddes' service weapon but was arrested a short time later. He was tried for murder and acquitted.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-3531BD3F
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.
Special Agent Geddes served with the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Geddes.

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

Agency

Location Chicago, IL
Platform Identity cbqrpd.rr.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 28, 1932
Age 30
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Acquitted

Special Agent Durward Faldine Geddes 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.

Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department
4
of 7 officers
57.1% Felonious
IL — Statewide
842
of 1,318 officers
63.9% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Durward Faldine Geddes's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Durward Faldine Geddes Compares

Age at End of Watch
30
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Acquitted

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Durward Faldine Geddes is highlighted in Apr.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Durward Faldine Geddes was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location