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Incident
Park Police Officer Harry Francois was shot and killed as he attempted to arrest two men and a juvenile who were robbing a couple near North Avenue and Whipple Street in Humboldt Park. All three were apprehended. The subject who shot Officer Francois was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. One year later his sentence was commuted to 199 years. He died in prison on August 6th, 1946. A second subject was sentenced to 20 years.
Survivors
Officer Francois was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Park Police Officer Francois served with the Chicago Park District Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Police Officer Francois.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago Park District Police Department has lost 13 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Harry is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Harry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harry 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 1939, 1 officer at Chicago Park District Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 2.
In 1939, 4 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1939, 82 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 79th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1939, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harry was 37. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Chicago Park District Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35.5 and 41; the middle age was 37.
Harry was 37. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Harry was 37. 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.
Harry was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 37.5% of these deaths at Chicago Park District Police Department, more than any other month. Mondays: 37.5%.
November holds 9.6% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Mondays: 14.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 13 deaths at Chicago Park District Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 37.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago Park District Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Harry among them.
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Joseph Klocek
Oct 8, 1935
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Joseph Isola
Nov 2, 1935
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Arthur Swanson
May 21, 1936
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Frederick Fischer
Oct 22, 1936
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Bernard B. Klinke
Feb 22, 1937
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Martin Wolski
Mar 26, 1938
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Harry Francois
Nov 20, 1939
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Charles J. Speaker
Jun 30, 1941
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Charles H. Williams
Dec 10, 1941
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Spencer Thornton, Jr.
Sep 3, 1945
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Richard E. Pegue
Jul 3, 1946
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Robert Ellsworth Oman
Nov 7, 1946
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Robert R. Golden
Nov 14, 1956
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 36-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago Park District Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
