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Allen F. Shoemaker
Incident
Police Officer Allen Shoemaker was shot and killed while conducting a train check in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Officer Shoemaker ran across nine men riding in the gondola car. Officer Shoemaker turned his flashlight on them and demanded to know what they were doing. One man drew a gun and shot Officer Shoemaker four times. In 1930 a Texas inmate serving a seven year sentence confessed that he killed Officer Shoemaker and gave explicit details that convinced Iowa officials that he was his murderer. Iowa officials asked that he be returned, but for some unknown reason Texas officials refused. Officer Shoemaker had served with the agency for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Police Officer Shoemaker gave the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Shoemaker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department has lost 18 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Allen is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Allen is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Allen 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 1925, 1 officer at Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 3.
In 1925, 22 officers in IL were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Allen was 28. Of the 13 killed feloniously at Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 37. Allen had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
Allen was 28. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Allen had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Allen 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. Allen had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Allen was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Allen had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.1% of these deaths at Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department; November holds the most, 21.4%. Sundays: 21.4%.
May holds 7.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 18 deaths at Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 57.1% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department has 18 officers remembered here, Allen among them.
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Dennis E. Riley Dec 21, 1898
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Charles E. Dillon
Nov 20, 1902
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Edward L. Spielman Apr 9, 1912
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John W. Kamphouse Nov 1, 1912
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Cornelius E. Cross
Jan 21, 1917
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Charles Crill
Mar 17, 1917
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Hugh J. Ennis Mar 28, 1921
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Maurice Leahy, Jr.
Jul 29, 1921
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Louis A. Gustafson Sep 27, 1921
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Robert G. Murray
Oct 14, 1921
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John Harrison Bousman Aug 10, 1922
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Allen F. Shoemaker
May 17, 1925
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Michael T. Murphy Jul 5, 1928
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Emmet B. Keen
Dec 28, 1929
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Nicholas John Malambri Jan 11, 1931
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Glen R. Bright
Nov 16, 1973
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John H. Horst
Apr 28, 1975
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Charles L. Moeller
Dec 9, 1979
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
