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Incident
Night Marshal Benjamin Schmitt was shot and killed while investigating two suspicious subjects at the Baltimore and Ohio railroad station platform. Marshal Schmitt approached two male subjects who were sitting on the platform and during questioning, a heated exchange ensued. As Marshal Schmitt reached for his service weapon, one of the subjects pulled a .32-caliber revolver from his overcoat pocket, fired once and struck Marshal Schmitt in the heart, killing him. A lynching was threatened by a mob of citizens who had caught the suspect responsible for shooting Marshal Schmitt nearby, but the prisoner was taken into custody by the mayor and another officer. He claimed at trial that he shot Marshal Schmitt in self-defense and was found not guilty. The second suspect was later arrested. Marshal Schmitt had served with the O'Fallon Police Department for three years.
Night Marshal Benjamin Schmitt was shot and killed while investigating two suspicious subjects at the Baltimore and Ohio railroad station platform.
Marshal Schmitt approached two male subjects who were sitting on the platform and during questioning, a heated exchange ensued. As Marshal Schmitt reached for his service weapon, one of the subjects pulled a .32-caliber revolver from his overcoat pocket, fired once and struck Marshal Schmitt in the heart, killing him.
A lynching was threatened by a mob of citizens who had caught the suspect responsible for shooting Marshal Schmitt nearby, but the prisoner was taken into custody by the mayor and another officer. He claimed at trial that he shot Marshal Schmitt in self-defense and was found not guilty. The second suspect was later arrested.
Marshal Schmitt had served with the O'Fallon Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He 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.
Night Marshal Schmitt gave the O'Fallon Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the O'Fallon community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Marshal Schmitt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Benjamin is the only officer of O'Fallon Police Department remembered here.
Benjamin is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Benjamin 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, 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
Benjamin was 42. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Benjamin had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benjamin was 42. 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. Benjamin had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benjamin was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Benjamin had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 5.2% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at O'Fallon Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 100% 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun; .32 caliber, in 0.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from O'Fallon Police Department are honored on badge.nw.