Roll of Honor
Jake Frith
Incident
Location: Iowa Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Pardoned in 1925
Railroad Policeman Jake Frith and Railroad Policeman Henry Talcott were shot and killed at about 2:15 am while trying to remove three tramps from a coach car in the railroad yards at 19th Street in Dubuque, Iowa. A violent struggle took place inside of the car and both officers were mortally wounded. Policeman Frith was shot in the neck and back and Policeman Talcott was shot above the left eye.
Two suspects were apprehended a short time later. Both were convicted of two counts of first degree and sentenced to life in Anamosa Penitentiary. Both were pardoned by Governor Nathan E. Kendall on January 10th, 1925.
The third suspect fled to San Francisco where he boarded a ship destined for Australia. He was never captured.
Policeman Frith was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
Policeman Frith was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-RR-CE5EDB94- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
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Railroad Policeman Frith served with the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Railroad Policeman Jake Frith is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 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 10 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department, 7 of 7 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. Jake Frith's cause is highlighted.
How Jake Frith Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jake Frith is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jake Frith was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
