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Frank E. Schoonmaker
Chief of Detectives

Frank E. Schoonmaker

Baton Rouge Police Department — Baton Rouge, LA
Felonious
United States flag Louisiana flag
End of Watch October 24, 1931
The Vigil Panel 140 · Column 1 · Line 8 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 26

Incident

Chief of Detectives Frank Schoonmaker was shot and killed while searching for two suspects who had just robbed a man of $12 and a pair of shoes at the Baton Rouge railroad yards. Unknown to Detective Shoonmaker, the subjects had escaped prison in Mississippi. One suspect shot him as he searched the second suspect. The men fled but were apprehended two hours later. The suspect was convicted of murder and hanged on February 3, 1933.

Survivors

Detective Schoonmaker, who also served as the city's elected constable, was survived by his wife and 8-year-old daughter.

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.
Chief of Detectives Schoonmaker served with the Baton Rouge Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Baton Rouge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Detectives Schoonmaker.

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

Agency

Department Baton Rouge Police Department
Type Other
Location Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, LA
Platform Identity brpd.ebr.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 24, 1931
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Frank is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
III

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
IV

His people

Baton Rouge Police Department has 27 officers remembered here, Frank among them.

Across the years
V

Where

Chief of Detectives Frank E. Schoonmaker

Baton Rouge Police Department · End of Watch October 24, 1931

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-W

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