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Incident
Officer Harold Koehncke was shot and killed after making a traffic stop for a vehicle failing to stop at a stoplight. About 9:00 pm, a vehicle was stopped at 144th Street and Chicago Road. The driver briefly attempted to pull away when instructed to proceed to the police station. Officer Koehncke decided to take the suspects into custody by driving their car as he was on motorcycle patrol. While en route, Officer Koehncke was shot four times in the back of the head. Despite being mortally wounded, he returned fire, wounding two suspects before the vehicle swerved, crashing into a tree and overturning. All four suspects fled on foot to a nearby wooded area. With the help of a citizen's posse from Dolton and nearby towns, three of the suspects were apprehended, but one was never caught. All three suspects confessed to their involvement, with the shooter having been paroled from an Indiana prison 35 days earlier. The suspects told authorities that they were en route to rob a drug store when they were stopped. A jury found the three suspects guilty of murder, with the shooter, 19, being sentenced to 35 years; his brother, 18, sentenced to 14 years, and the other subject, 21, sentenced to 25 years. He was denied parole on December 28, 1944. Officer Koehncke served the two-man Dolton Police Department for three years and was also a volunteer firefighter. He was survived by his wife and young son. Officer Koehncke was buried in Mount Greenwood Cemetery.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and young son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Koehncke gave the Dolton Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dolton community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Koehncke.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Harold is the only officer of Dolton Police Department remembered here.
Harold is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Harold is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Harold 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 1932, 21 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Harold was 26. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Harold had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harold was 26. 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. Harold had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Harold was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Harold had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Dolton Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 56-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Dolton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.