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Incident
Police Officer Carl Besalki succumbed to a gunshot wound suffered four days earlier while investigating suspicious activity at the Wabash Railroad depot near Cerro Gordo Street.
While on patrol he heard voices coming from an open boxcar. As he entered the boxcar to investigate, one of the men opened fire with a .32-caliber revolver, striking Officer Besalki in the abdomen. He was taken to a local hospital where he remained until succumbing to his wounds.
Before dying, Officer Besalki was able to identify the 22-year-old shooter. The man was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled on December 24th, 1943.
Officer Besalki had served with the Decatur Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Besalki gave the Decatur Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Decatur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Besalki.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Decatur Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Carl is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Carl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Carl is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1912, 6 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1912, 133 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1912, 135 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Carl was 35. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Carl had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Carl was 35. 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. Carl had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Carl was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Carl had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Mondays: 14.4%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Decatur Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, 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; .32 caliber, in 0.5% 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; .32 caliber, in 0.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.4% of these deaths.
His people
Decatur Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Carl among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Decatur Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
