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Jake Frith
Incident
Location: Iowa Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Pardoned in 1925
Railroad Policeman Jake Frith and Railroad Policeman Henry Talcott were shot and killed at about 2:15 am while trying to remove three tramps from a coach car in the railroad yards at 19th Street in Dubuque, Iowa. A violent struggle took place inside of the car and both officers were mortally wounded. Policeman Frith was shot in the neck and back and Policeman Talcott was shot above the left eye.
Two suspects were apprehended a short time later. Both were convicted of two counts of first degree and sentenced to life in Anamosa Penitentiary. Both were pardoned by Governor Nathan E. Kendall on January 10th, 1925.
The third suspect fled to San Francisco where he boarded a ship destined for Australia. He was never captured.
Policeman Frith was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
Policeman Frith was 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
133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Railroad Policeman Frith served with the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Jake is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Jake is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jake 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 1893, 3 officers at Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1893, 5 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1893, 76 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 92nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1893, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jake was 38. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 37.8 and 40.5; the middle age was 39.
Jake was 38. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Jake was 38. 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.
Jake was 38. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 28.6% of these deaths at Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 57.1%.
April holds 9.5% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Fridays: 14.6%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 28.6% 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
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Jake among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
