Roll of Honor
Bert Wootan
Incident
Location: Illinois Weapon: Handgun Offender: Not available
Special Agent Bert Wootan was shot and killed in the rail yards in Savannah, Illinois while attempting to remove trespassers from the area.
He had gone to a location near the viaduct where a hobo camp had been set up for several days. Three men in the crowd began to argue with him about moving. One of the men drew a revolver and shot Agent Wootan in the chest, killing him instantly.
The three men fled the area and it is not known if they were ever caught.
Special Agent Wootan was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Special Agent Wootan was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-D7B18367- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Wootan 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 Wootan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Agent Bert Wootan is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bert Wootan's cause is highlighted.
How Bert Wootan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bert Wootan is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Bert Wootan was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
