Prev
Charles Marcus Eldredge
Incident
Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement, IL
Inspector Charles Eldredge was shot and killed at the entrance to a nature preserve at Nippersink Creek in McHenry County.
It is believed that Inspector Eldredge came across poachers hunting on the land. He was shot in the chest with his own service weapon, which was also the revolver used to murder his brother, Deputy Game Warden Earle Eldredge, 24 years earlier. Inspector Eldredge had carried the revolver ever since in the hopes of finding those responsible for his brother's murder.
The suspects in both officers' murders were never apprehended.
Inspector Eldredge had served with the Illinois Department of Conservation for 20 years and had previously been a state representative.
The family's nature preserve later became the North Branch Conservation Area.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnmqssjx7vrp7n6pf7re- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Charles. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Inspector Eldredge gave the Illinois Department of Conservation 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Inspector Eldredge.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement has lost 13 officers; 2 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 1931, 20 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 63. 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 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 63. 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 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 63. 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 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Saturdays: 15.8%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 15.4% of all 13 deaths at Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement, the 2nd most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement has 13 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
-
Gasper Ratto Feb 11, 1902
-
G. Earle Eldredge
Feb 24, 1907
-
Charles Marcus Eldredge
Jul 4, 1931
-
Lee B. Davis May 22, 1938
-
Otis John Whan
Jan 16, 1951
-
William D. Miller
Dec 1, 1954
-
John Arthur Fletcher Feb 17, 1957
-
Howard Russell Bunting Feb 23, 1957
-
George Giambiasi
Sep 4, 1959
-
Robert H. Elliott Jul 15, 1970
-
Eugene Allen Nov 17, 1972
-
Loring Carr Nov 17, 1972
-
Milton A. Rueck
Aug 19, 1973
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
12 officers from Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement are honored on badge.nw.
