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Charles J. Speaker
Incident
Park Police Officer Charles J. Speaker was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery in Jackson Park, at 59th Street and Stony Island Avenue. The shooter, who was a parolee and who had also killed two other people in the 72 hours prior to killing Officer Speaker, was executed in January of 1942. Officer Speaker had served with the Chicago Park District Police Department for 28 years and set to retire in only a few months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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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
28 years. You could have gone home.
Park Police Officer Speaker gave the Chicago Park District Police Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Police Officer Speaker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago Park District Police Department has lost 13 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 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 1941, 2 officers at Chicago Park District Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1941, 4 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1941, 92 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 61st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1941, 260 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 54. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Chicago Park District Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 35.5 and 41; the middle age was 37. Charles had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Charles was 54. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 54. 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. Charles had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 12.5% of these deaths at Chicago Park District Police Department; November holds the most, 37.5%. Mondays: 37.5%.
June holds 9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Mondays: 14.4%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 61.5% of all 13 deaths at Chicago Park District Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 37.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago Park District Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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Joseph Klocek
Oct 8, 1935
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Joseph Isola
Nov 2, 1935
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Arthur Swanson
May 21, 1936
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Frederick Fischer
Oct 22, 1936
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Bernard B. Klinke
Feb 22, 1937
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Martin Wolski
Mar 26, 1938
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Harry Francois
Nov 20, 1939
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Charles J. Speaker
Jun 30, 1941
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Charles H. Williams
Dec 10, 1941
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Spencer Thornton, Jr.
Sep 3, 1945
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Richard E. Pegue
Jul 3, 1946
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Robert Ellsworth Oman
Nov 7, 1946
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Robert R. Golden
Nov 14, 1956
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Chicago Park District Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
