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Detective

James J. Caplis

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Felonious

End of Watch December 21, 1931

Age 31

Badge 1511

The Vigil Panel 63 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 570

Incident

Detective James Caplis was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery while off duty at the Beach View Garden Café at 804 W. Wilson Avenue. Shortly after 1:00 a.m. five men entered the cafe armed with revolvers and shotguns and ordered the diners against the wall. Detective Caplis was at a table with his date. He loitered behind the other patrons as they walked toward the designated wall. Suddenly he broke away from the other customers and ran to the rear wall while drawing his revolver in an attempt to separate himself from the other robbery victims. He opened exchanged shots with one of the subjects. He pursued the men as they fled from the cafe and continued to exchange shots with them. He was struck by one round and was fatally wounded. Caplis was a winner of The Tribune Monthly Hero Award in June 1928. On December 27, 1931, two 17-year-old juveniles were arrested and confessed that they participated in the slaying. Three other subjects were also arrested and charged with murder. Two juvenile females were also arrested. One of the offenders received 99 years. The two 17-year-olds received 14 years, one was sentenced to 50 years, and the fifth to 20 years in prison. The sentences for both girls were stricken. The one sentenced to 99 years was paroled on March 25th, 1965. The two 17-year-olds were paroled in 1939 and 1941. Both went on to become notorious gangsters. One was shot and killed in 1951 during an armed robbery attempt. The other, who became heavily involved in drugs, was shot and killed in 1954 by rival gang members as he was driving his car.

Survivors

Detective Caplis was survived by his mother, father, and sister.

In Our Keeping

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Last updated: August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Caplis served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Caplis.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Chicago Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Chicago, Cook County, IL

Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 21, 1931

Age 31

Badge Number 1511

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

Who

James was 31. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.

Age at death

Where he stood among them

Age by years of service

III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Mondays: 13.8%.

By month

By day of the week

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.

Every cause

Weapons recorded