Roll of Honor
Charles E. Dillon
Incident
Special Officer Charles Dillon was shot and killed while arresting a railroad employee who had been stealing merchandise at 2:30 am from the rail yard on California Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. An employee had informed Officer Dillon that a seal had been broken on one of the freight cars. After inspecting the car Officer Dillon hid underneath it to wait for the suspect to return. When the man returned Officer Dillon grabbed him from behind and told him he was under arrest. When the man turned around he shot Officer Dillon in the head, killing him. He then shot him in the head three more times before fleeing. He was arrested a short time later and confessed to the murder. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
Survivors
Officer Dillon was survived by his wife, son, mother and four brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-C24AFBC4- 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 Officer Dillon served with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Dillon.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Officer Charles E. Dillon 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. Charles E. Dillon's cause is highlighted.
How Charles E. Dillon Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles E. Dillon is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles E. Dillon 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.
