James L. Hosna
Agency patch
Detective Sergeant

James L. Hosna

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch February 6, 1919
Age 37
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
Badge 324
The Vigil Panel 36 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Sergeant James L. Hosna was shot and killed during an armed robbery investigation in the 1400 block of South Halsted Avenue. Sergeant Hosna observed the wanted armed robber enter a drinking establishment and confronted him. The gunman fired three shots before Sergeant Hosna had time to draw his revolver. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the hospital the next day. The suspect, a notorious gangster, claimed self defense and was acquitted of murder. Later he served a sentence for armed robbery and then went on to work for Al Capone. Sergeant Hosna had served with the Chicago Police Department for 11 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Detective Sergeant Hosna gave the Chicago Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Hosna.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch February 6, 1919
Tour of Duty 11 yrs
Age 37
Badge Number 324
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

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.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James 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. James had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

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, James among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Detective Sergeant James L. Hosna

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch February 6, 1919

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 43-E

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