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Incident
Patrolman Henry Kounse was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a felony suspect. Earlier in the day, officers had been to a local residence after receiving information that the suspect was staying there, but upon their arrival the suspect and another subject were escaping in a taxicab while holding the driver at gunpoint and exchanged gunfire with the officers. Later in the evening, upon learning the suspect had returned to the residence, eight officers proceeded to the home to find three subjects sitting in a vehicle in front of the residence at 6:30 pm. While these subjects were being taken into custody, one shouted toward the house to alert the occupants that the police had arrived. As the felony suspect was climbing out of a rear window, another officer commanded him to halt. The suspect fired three shots and ran to the opposite corner of the house where he encountered Patrolman Kounse. The suspect fired two more shots, striking Patrolman Kounse in the face with a Colt .45-caliber revolver before escaping into a thick, wooded area. The subjects from the parked vehicle and the house were taken into custody, but were uncooperative upon interrogation. A manhunt was created with over 60 lawmen and many citizens to search the wooded area and nearby farmhouses, but they were unable to locate the suspect. When four officers went to a farmhouse the following morning, they noticed its shed doors being held shut with a large board. As the board was kicked away, the doors opened to reveal the suspect hiding inside and he was arrested. The suspect pleaded guilty to murder that same day and died while serving a life sentence in prison in 1943. Prior to this incident, the suspect had been arrested and charged with vehicle theft and robberies of two oil stations. While he was incarcerated awaiting arraignment in federal court on charges of interstate freight robbery, the suspect escaped from the Rushville Jail in November 1930 and robbed two banks while on the run. T
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Kounse gave the East Peoria Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the East Peoria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kounse.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Henry is the only officer of East Peoria Police Department remembered here.
Henry is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1931, 20 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry was 40. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 40. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Henry was 40. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Henry had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 5.8% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at East Peoria Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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, in 28.5% 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, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-W
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Others Who Wore This Badge
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