Incident
Park Police Officer Martin Wolski was shot and killed by two men he approached near 37th Street and Damen Avenue in McKinley Park. He observed two suspicious men standing near an automobile with its doors open in the Lover's Lane section of the park. He was immediately fired upon and fatally wounded as he approached the men on foot. Officer Wolski's brother-in-law was accompanying him at the time and witnessed the shooting. Officer Wolski had served with the Chicago Park District Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, twin children, and five siblings.
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.
Park Police Officer Wolski gave the Chicago Park District Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Park Police Officer Wolski.
— 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.
Martin is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Martin is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Martin is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1938, 1 officer at Chicago Park District Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1941, with 2.
In 1938, 6 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Martin was 36. 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. Martin had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Martin was 36. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Martin had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Martin was 36. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Martin had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Martin was 36. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Martin had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 12.5% of these deaths at Chicago Park District Police Department; November holds the most, 37.5%. Saturdays: 25%.
March holds 5.2% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
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 gun, 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 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Chicago Park District Police Department has 13 officers remembered here, Martin 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 9-W
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.











