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James J. Keefe
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Detective

James J. Keefe

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
United States flag Illinois flag
End of Watch January 5, 1905
Age 40
Tour of Duty 13 yrs 9 mo
Badge 1620
The Vigil Panel 19 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 570

Incident

Detective James J. Keefe was shot and mortally wounded when he and other officers attempted to arrest a man at 26th and Wallace Streets. The man was wanted for several armed robberies and for shooting a policeman. As soon as the officers began to approach the suspect, he drew his pistol, fired two shots, and ran into a nearby saloon. As the officers entered the saloon, the suspect and the saloon keeper opened fire on them. In an exchange of gunfire, Detective Keefe was shot in the chest, another officer was wounded, the saloon keeper was hit in the arm, and the suspect was hit in the back and leg. The saloon keeper was taken into custody at the scene. The suspect fled, but was taken into custody at a drug store on 41st Street, where he collapsed from a loss of blood. He died later that day. Detective Keefe died on the way to the hospital. The saloon keeper was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. The saloon keeper and the suspect had been inmates together in prison. Detective Keefe served with the Chicago Police Department for less than 14 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

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.
Detective Keefe gave the Chicago Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Keefe.

— 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 January 5, 1905
Tour of Duty 13 yrs 9 mo
Age 40
Badge Number 1620
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

James 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 1905, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

James was 40. 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 13.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

January holds 8% 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 handgun, in 23.4% 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 James J. Keefe

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch January 5, 1905

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 53-E

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