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Incident
Location: Illinois Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Shot and killed
Chief Watchman Cyrus Van Sickle was shot and killed in the Illinois Central Railroad yards near South Water Street, in Chicago, Illinois.
He confronted a man behind a warehouse in the freight yards near the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. During the encounter the two exchanged shots and both were fatally wounded.
Chief Watchman Van Sickle was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Chief Watchman Van Sickle was survived by his wife and two children.
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.
Chief Van Sickle served with the Illinois Central Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief Van Sickle.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Illinois Central Railroad Police Department has lost 12 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Cyrus is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Cyrus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Cyrus 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 1916, 1 officer at Illinois Central Railroad Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1936, with 2.
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
Cyrus was 35. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Illinois Central Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 36; the middle age was 35.
Cyrus was 35. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Cyrus 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.
Cyrus was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
February holds 20% of these deaths at Illinois Central Railroad Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 20%.
February holds 5.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Fridays: 14.6%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 83.3% of all 12 deaths at Illinois Central Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10% 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; unknown type, in 5.9% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Illinois Central Railroad Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Cyrus among them.
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Matthew E. McGrath
Aug 8, 1903
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Victor C. Benner Dec 7, 1911
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Cyrus E. Van Sickle Feb 11, 1916
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Louis Edward Baum Jul 27, 1927
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Joseph J. Kucera, Jr. Apr 29, 1929
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Christopher O. McClure Feb 17, 1931
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Frank M. Bolen
Apr 26, 1933
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Richard Kelly May 30, 1935
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Roy Dale Zearfoss
Jul 17, 1936
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William Urban Sprous Sep 13, 1936
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John Ben Merz Oct 11, 1949
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Jess Anderson
Sep 11, 1950
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Illinois Central Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
