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Harry Gaster
Agency patch
Patrolman

Harry Gaster

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
United States flag Illinois flag
End of Watch August 10, 1924
Age 29
Tour of Duty 2 yrs 2 mo
Badge 4913
The Vigil Panel 47 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 570

Incident

Patrolman Harry Gaster was working a second job as a security guard when he noticed suspicious activity under an elevated train platform at South Paulina Street in Chicago at 9:20 pm. When Officer Gaster investigated, he discovered two youths breaking into an automobile. As Officer Gaster confronted the offenders, one of them fired a gunshot. Officer Gaster returned fire before collapsing. He was transferred to the County Hospital but never regained consciousness. The juveniles were apprehended at the hospital. One had been shot in the head but survived. Patrolman Gaster had served with the Chicago Police Department for over two years. He was survived by his expectant wife and daughter. Two months later, his wife gave birth to a baby boy.

Survivors

He was survived by his expectant wife and daughter.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Gaster gave the Chicago Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Gaster.

— 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 August 10, 1924
Tour of Duty 2 yrs 2 mo
Age 29
Badge Number 4913
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Harry was 29. 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 had served 2.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Harry among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Harry Gaster

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch August 10, 1924

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E

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