Incident
Patrolman Charles Reinke was shot and killed in the Pennsylvania Railroad yards, at 31st Street and Ash Street, in Chicago, Illinois. He was climbing off of a freight car when he observed two men crawling up a nearby embankment. Before he had a chance to confront them the subjects opened fire, striking him several times. Despite being seriously wounded he returned fire, killing one of the men. Patrolman Reinke then flagged down a passing motorist, who started driving him towards a nearby police station. Before arriving, they encountered a Chicago police officer who then took him to St. Anthony's Hospital, where he died.
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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.
Patrolman Reinke served with the Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphpia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Reinke.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department has lost 36 officers; 13 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 598 officers killed feloniously in PA, 47.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles 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 1923, 1 officer at Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1923, 15 officers in PA were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 152 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 16.
In 1923, 199 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1923, 200 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
When
February holds 15.4% of these deaths at Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department; September holds the most, 23.1%. Wednesdays: 30.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in PA; September holds the most, 10.5%. Wednesdays: 15.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 36.1% of all 36 deaths at Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 15.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 47.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 18.4% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department has 36 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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William R. Plummer
Nov 25, 1879
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Augustus Fuchshuber
Aug 4, 1894
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William Lewis Jun 28, 1895
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Jesse Shisler Oct 16, 1899
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David McConnell
Jun 30, 1901
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John Mahoney Apr 13, 1906
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Charles L. D. Sidle Aug 5, 1906
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Edward B. Stanton Sep 5, 1908
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Harry Hinkson Boon Jun 30, 1909
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Frank David Mayrose Nov 13, 1912
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John Louis Beisser Oct 20, 1916
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William D. Bradley Jul 13, 1917
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Ralph Malcolm Mullen Sep 10, 1917
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John J. Ellis Sep 26, 1918
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Walter Henry Goscenski
Aug 3, 1919
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Charles S. Thurston
Feb 2, 1920
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Berry John Butcher Jul 10, 1920
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Frank P. Flynn Jul 18, 1920
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Richard J. Connor Dec 1, 1920
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Lloyd Bernard Leaman
Nov 23, 1921
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Gerald W. Sibert
Oct 5, 1922
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Charles W. Reinke Feb 14, 1923
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Joseph Windolph Lintner Jun 23, 1923
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Martin J. Gaffeney Mar 21, 1924
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Charles Henry Roeder May 30, 1924
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Walter F. Piatt
Nov 8, 1931
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Homer Elder Jul 7, 1932
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Adolph Bayer
Aug 10, 1932
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James J. Harrold Nov 3, 1932
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John A. Connor Jan 25, 1935
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Eugene A. Gurganus Oct 17, 1935
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Joseph E. Bixler
Nov 3, 1939
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Charles J. Westdhal, Jr. Dec 11, 1939
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Thomas F. Prince Dec 17, 1941
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Peter Shemela
Apr 18, 1944
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William J. Costello Jul 11, 1945
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
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