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Emmet B. Keen
Incident
Special Agent Emmet Keen was shot and killed while guarding an alcohol shipment near Peoria, Illinois. As the train carrying the shipment pulled onto a side track to permit a passenger train to proceed, Agent Keen was hiding in the nearby weeds. Three men were observed approaching the train, and while attempting to loot it, a gun battle ensued, with Agent Keen being struck twice. Train crews came to the aid of Agent Keen as he lay dying and saw tracks in the snow indicating two men had dragged a body away from the scene. One suspect was found dead, and four suspects were later taken into custody by sheriff's deputies. Two suspects were questioned, while two others were released. No arrests were made.
Survivors
He was survived by his two young sons and parents.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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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.
Special Agent Keen served with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Keen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department has lost 18 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Emmet is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Emmet is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Emmet is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 1 officer at Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 3.
In 1929, 16 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Emmet was 38. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 37.
Emmet was 38. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Emmet was 38. 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.
Emmet was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 14.3% of these deaths at Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department; November holds the most, 21.4%. Saturdays: 14.3%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 18 deaths at Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 57.1% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department has 18 officers remembered here, Emmet among them.
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Dennis E. Riley Dec 21, 1898
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Charles E. Dillon
Nov 20, 1902
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Edward L. Spielman Apr 9, 1912
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John W. Kamphouse Nov 1, 1912
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Cornelius E. Cross
Jan 21, 1917
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Charles Crill
Mar 17, 1917
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Hugh J. Ennis Mar 28, 1921
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Maurice Leahy, Jr.
Jul 29, 1921
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Louis A. Gustafson Sep 27, 1921
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Robert G. Murray
Oct 14, 1921
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John Harrison Bousman Aug 10, 1922
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Allen F. Shoemaker
May 17, 1925
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Michael T. Murphy Jul 5, 1928
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Emmet B. Keen
Dec 28, 1929
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Nicholas John Malambri Jan 11, 1931
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Glen R. Bright
Nov 16, 1973
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John H. Horst
Apr 28, 1975
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Charles L. Moeller
Dec 9, 1979
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
