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Incident
Lieutenant Herman Ziebell was shot and killed behind a service station at the intersection of Des Plaines Avenue and Roosevelt Road when he and his partner interrupted a burglary in progress. The two suspects escaped when Lieutenant Ziebell's partner transported him to Oak Park Hospital. One of the suspects was arrested three weeks later, and the other was arrested in New York three months later. Both suspects were convicted of murder. One of the suspects was sentenced to 199 years, and the other was sentenced to death. On June 20, 1947, he was executed by electrocution. Lieutenant Ziebell had served with the Forest Park Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son, who became a Forest park Police officer after his father died.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Ziebell gave the Forest Park Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Forest Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Ziebell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Forest Park Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Herman is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Herman is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Herman 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 1946, 6 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1946, 93 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 67th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Herman was 46. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Herman had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herman was 46. 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. Herman had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herman was 46. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Herman had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 8.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Mondays: 14.4%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Forest Park Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% 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
Forest Park Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Herman among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Forest Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
