Roll of Honor
Allen F. Shoemaker
Incident
Police Officer Allen Shoemaker was shot and killed while conducting a train check in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Officer Shoemaker ran across nine men riding in the gondola car. Officer Shoemaker turned his flashlight on them and demanded to know what they were doing. One man drew a gun and shot Officer Shoemaker four times. In 1930 a Texas inmate serving a seven year sentence confessed that he killed Officer Shoemaker and gave explicit details that convinced Iowa officials that he was his murderer. Iowa officials asked that he be returned, but for some unknown reason Texas officials refused. Officer Shoemaker had served with the agency for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-55C94971- 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.
Police Officer Shoemaker gave the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Shoemaker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Allen F. Shoemaker 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 and Northwestern Railroad Police Department, 14 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 77.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Allen F. Shoemaker's cause is highlighted.
How Allen F. Shoemaker Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Allen F. Shoemaker is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Allen F. Shoemaker was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
