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Incident
Detective Frank Crowley was shot and killed while he was doing extra duty because extra military troops which were stationed at Camps Lincoln and Dunne. His usual duties were those of auto driver on the midnight shift, and he had been noticed for his nerve and daring in making desperate runs for murder and burglar calls. Detective Crowley and his partner were walking their beat on East Madison Street a few minutes before midnight. They heard shots in the area of Eleventh and Madison streets and began walking in that direction when they saw more than a dozen militiamen approaching them. At the northeast corner of Madison and Tenth streets, the soldiers came under the light. The officers were crossing the street in their direction when an unidentified soldier shot Detective Crowley in the left side just above the heart. Detective Crowley died a few minutes later while police were transporting him to St. John’s Hospital. A soldier from Chicago confessed to the murder and was sentenced to life in prison but was released in 1951. Detective Crowley had served with the Springfield Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Crowley gave the Springfield Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Crowley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Springfield Police Department has lost 10 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Frank is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Frank is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 1 officer at Springfield Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1885, with 2.
In 1916, 13 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Frank was 33. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Springfield Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.5 and 36; the middle age was 33. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 1.8 years.
Frank was 33. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 33. 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. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Frank was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 11.1% of these deaths at Springfield Police Department; August holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 22.2%.
June holds 9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Thursdays: 15%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90% of all 10 deaths at Springfield Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Springfield Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
