Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: Illinois Weapon: Handgun Offender: Never identified
Special Agent Bert Zumwalt was shot and killed from ambush while checking on a railroad siding along Sangamon Avenue near the Jones and Adams Mine in Springfield, Illinois.
He was driving a truck along Sangamon Avenue when another vehicle attempted to run it off the road. The occupant(s) of the vehicle then opened fire with both a shotgun and revolver, striking Agent Zumwalt multiple times. Despite being wounded, he was able to draw his own service weapon but did not return fire.
Two passersby discovered Agent Zumwalt's truck in a ditch on the side of the road. The transported him to Springfield Hospital where he passed away without ever regaining consciousness.
It is believed that Agent Zumwalt was murdered in retaliation for his work in arresting thieves and bootleggers. The subjects who murdered him were never identified.
Agent Zumwalt had served with the Chicago and Alton Railroad Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-814F21AB- 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 Zumwalt gave the Chicago and Alton Railroad Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Zumwalt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Bert Zumwalt 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 Alton Railroad Police Department, 6 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bert Zumwalt's cause is highlighted.
How Bert Zumwalt Compares
Offender Outcome
Never identified
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bert Zumwalt is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bert Zumwalt was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Chicago and Alton Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
