Henry L. Peeler
Agency patch
Patrolman

Henry L. Peeler

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch June 5, 1968
Age 28
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Badge 11174
The Vigil Panel 104 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Henry L. Peeler, of the Englewood District, was shot and killed by a gunman who murdered Sergeant Jack Armstrong, of the Southern Railway Police Department, two months earlier in East St. Louis, Illinois. After the gunman and three others murdered Sergeant Armstrong, they stole his service weapon, which was used to murder Patrolman Peeler. Patrolman Peeler’s partner was shot in the right forearm and left hand. The incident began when policemen noticed three men lying on a lawn in front of an apartment building at W. 57th Street and S. Morgan Street, holding open liquor containers. As the officers approached, one man tried to run and opened fire when Patrolman Peeler pursued him behind 5659 S. Morgan Street. Patrolman Peeler was shot five times but returned fire before he died. Patrolman Peeler’s partner, who had been questioning the other two, ran to assist and killed the attacker. Patrolman Peeler had served with the Chicago Police Department for two years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
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.
Patrolman Peeler gave the Chicago Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Peeler.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 5, 1968
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 28
Badge Number 11174
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Henry 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.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1968, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Henry was 28. 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. Henry had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.

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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Henry among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Henry L. Peeler

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch June 5, 1968

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 15-W

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