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Elmer R. Ostling
Agency patch
Patrolman

Elmer R. Ostling

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
United States flag Illinois flag
End of Watch July 22, 1933
Age 38
Badge 1189
The Vigil Panel 66 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 570

Incident

Patrolman Elmer Ostling and Patrolman John Skopek were shot and killed when they made a traffic stop of a speeding car in front of 2838 Washington Boulevard. Unbeknownst to both officers, the vehicle they had stopped had been stolen three weeks earlier and was being used in the commission of crimes. Both officers approached the car on the passenger side and asked the occupants to exit the vehicle. The men stepped out and immediately produced revolvers and opened fire. Both officers were shot several times and were only able to return fire one time each. Patrolman Skopek was killed instantly. Patrolman Ostling was taken to Franklin Boulevard Hospital where he died a short time later. The identity of the suspects remained a mystery until October 10th, 1937, when a captured escapee from the Illinois State Penitentiary confessed to the murders. He named two accomplices, one who escaped with him who was shot and killed during the capture. The other suspect was apprehended and also confessed to the murders. Both suspects were convicted of murder and sentenced to 199 years in prison. One died in prison on June 18th, 1951. Patrolman Skopek was survived by his wife and son.

Survivors

Patrolman Skopek was survived by his wife and son. Patrolman Ostling was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Ostling served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ostling.

— 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 July 22, 1933
Age 38
Badge Number 1189
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Elmer 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.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Elmer 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.

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

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

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, Elmer among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Elmer R. Ostling

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch July 22, 1933

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E

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