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Incident
Police Officer Chris Oberheim was shot and killed at about 3:20 am while responding to a domestic disturbance call at an apartment complex in the 3200 block of North Neil Street.
He and another officer had arrived at the location and were walking from their patrol cars when they encountered a male subject involved in the disturbance. The man opened fire on both officers, fatally wounding Officer Oberheim. The second officer was also wounded but was able to return fire and kill the subject.
The suspect was a convicted felon. Two subjects were convicted of conspiracy to illegally purchase and transfer a firearm and conspiracy to engage in misleading conduct. One was sentenced to 8-1/2 years in prison, and the other was sentenced to four years in prison.
Officer Oberheim had served with the Champaign Police Department for 13 years and had previously served with the Decatur Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Oberheim gave the Champaign Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Champaign community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Oberheim.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Champaign Police Department has lost 3 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Christopher is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Christopher is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Christopher 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 2021, 8 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 2021, 90 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 66th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2021, 92 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 69th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Christopher was 44. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Christopher had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christopher was 44. 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. Christopher had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Christopher was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Christopher had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 7.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Wednesdays: 11.3%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at Champaign Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, 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; 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 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Champaign Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Christopher among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 62-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Champaign Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
