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Incident
Patrolman Marion League was shot and killed at the intersection of 2nd Street and Missouri Avenue while responding to a residential burglary. When Patrolman League arrived at the scene, he observed a man walking away from the area and told him to stop. The suspect suddenly turned and fired, striking Patrolman League in the forehead. Six weeks later in Terre Haute, Indiana, a man arguing with his sister over their mother's estate suddenly produced a gun and shot her. Thinking he had killed her he fled from her home. She lived long enough to tell police that her brother told her he killed Patrolman League and a man in Barton County, Kansas. He was arrested, convicted of his sister's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was still in prison in 1943. It is unknown if he was officially connected to Patrolman League's murder but he was the only suspect and the only evidence was his sister's statement.
Survivors
Patrolman League was survived by his wife and six children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman League served with the East St. Louis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the East St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman League.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
East St. Louis Police Department has lost 22 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
Marion is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Marion is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Marion is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1916, 3 officers at East St. Louis Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1916, 13 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Marion was 50. Of the 17 killed feloniously at East St. Louis Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 43.
Marion was 50. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Marion was 50. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Marion was 50. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 16.7% of these deaths at East St. Louis Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 33.3%.
February holds 5.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.8% of all 22 deaths at East St. Louis Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 44.4% 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
East St. Louis Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, Marion among them.
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Thomas Reedy May 5, 1903
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Patrick Gill
Sep 6, 1908
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James J. Arnold
Feb 11, 1913
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Marion League
Feb 27, 1916
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James P. Madden Aug 5, 1916
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Henderson D. Trafton
Nov 18, 1916
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Samuel H. Coppedge Jul 1, 1917
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Franklin J. Wodley
Jul 3, 1917
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Robert Roy Aldridge Jan 11, 1919
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James O'Brien
Apr 1, 1919
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Perry V. Frost Nov 14, 1920
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Joseph B. Friesz Feb 24, 1924
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Henry Bodendieck Apr 5, 1924
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David A. Moehler
Apr 18, 1925
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Clare A. Fletcher
Jun 16, 1940
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Earl V. Anderson Mar 25, 1951
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Norvell Ray
Jan 25, 1958
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Charles E. Lewis
Mar 16, 1962
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Fredrick D. Hudson
Jul 29, 1966
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Kenneth Joseph McCoy
Jun 7, 1973
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Manuel Farmer, III
May 25, 1975
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Robert B. Broshears
Jun 23, 1977
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 57-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from East St. Louis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
