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Incident
Detective Henderson Trafton was shot and killed by the department's assistant chief of detectives, who held a grudge against the detective. The assistant chief of detectives believed that he was going to be demoted and that Detective Trafton was going to replace him as the assistant chief. The two encountered each other at the intersection of 2nd Street and Missouri Avenue. After exchanging a few words the assistant chief of detectives drew his revolver and told Detective Trafton to put his hands up. After Detective Trafton complied the chief of detectives shot him. Detective Trafton was survived by his wife. He had served with the East St. Louis Police Department for 13 years.
Survivors
Detective Trafton was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Detective Trafton gave the East St. Louis Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the East St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Trafton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
East St. Louis Police Department has lost 22 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
Henderson is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Henderson is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henderson 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 1916, 3 officers at East St. Louis Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1916, 13 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1916, 175 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henderson was 47. Of the 17 killed feloniously at East St. Louis Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 43. Henderson had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Henderson was 47. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Henderson had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henderson was 47. 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. Henderson had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henderson was 47. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Henderson had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 11.1% of these deaths at East St. Louis Police Department; February holds the most, 16.7%. Saturdays: 33.3%.
November holds 9.6% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.8% of all 22 deaths at East St. Louis Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% 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
East St. Louis Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, Henderson among them.
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Thomas Reedy May 5, 1903
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Patrick Gill
Sep 6, 1908
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James J. Arnold
Feb 11, 1913
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Marion League
Feb 27, 1916
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James P. Madden Aug 5, 1916
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Henderson D. Trafton
Nov 18, 1916
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Samuel H. Coppedge Jul 1, 1917
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Franklin J. Wodley
Jul 3, 1917
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Robert Roy Aldridge Jan 11, 1919
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James O'Brien
Apr 1, 1919
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Perry V. Frost Nov 14, 1920
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Joseph B. Friesz Feb 24, 1924
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Henry Bodendieck Apr 5, 1924
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David A. Moehler
Apr 18, 1925
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Clare A. Fletcher
Jun 16, 1940
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Earl V. Anderson Mar 25, 1951
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Norvell Ray
Jan 25, 1958
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Charles E. Lewis
Mar 16, 1962
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Fredrick D. Hudson
Jul 29, 1966
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Kenneth Joseph McCoy
Jun 7, 1973
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Manuel Farmer, III
May 25, 1975
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Robert B. Broshears
Jun 23, 1977
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from East St. Louis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
