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Incident
Chief of Police Daniel Law and Illinois State Trooper Grady Sutton were shot and killed while escorting three suspects in a stolen car to jail. The officers had stopped the vehicle at Poplar and Vine streets and directed the driver to the Harrisburg City Hall for questioning while Trooper Sutton stood on the left running board and Chief Law on the right running board of the vehicle. As the vehicle approached city hall, the driver stepped on the accelerator and the men drew weapons, opening fire on the officers. Trooper Sutton was struck in the chest and fell to the street near city hall. Before being shot in the head and body, Chief Law was able to cling to the vehicle for four blocks, exchanging gunfire with the suspects and killing one of them until finally dropping from the vehicle. Trooper Sutton died from his wounds following surgery shortly after midnight. The suspect killed by Chief Law was found in the abandoned vehicle 10 miles north of Harrisburg. The other two fugitives, 25 and 30, were later captured; the oldest in Beckley, West Virginia, on September 8, 1932, and the other in Sheridan, Wyoming, on January 8, 1933. They were extradited to Illinois for trial where they both were convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to death. Both were later awarded new trials and received life sentences. The youngest suspect was paroled on April 29, 1946. On April 20, 1949, he and another man robbed a bar in Detroit. After a wild chase with Detroit Police both were arrested. During the arrest Chief Law's and Trooper Sutton's killer was shot twice in his foot. He was charged with armed robbery as well as other serious charges. The next day he was charged for an armed robbery in Greenville. The other suspect convicted with him was denied parole in 1945. Chief Law had served with the Harrisburg Police Department for four years. Chief Law and Trooper Sutton were buried in adjoining plots in Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Harrisburg.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Chief of Police Law gave the Harrisburg Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harrisburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Law.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Daniel is the only officer of Harrisburg Police Department remembered here.
Daniel is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Daniel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Daniel 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 1932, 21 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1932, 210 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1932, 210 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Daniel was 30. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 30. 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. Daniel had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Daniel was 30. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Daniel had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Fridays: 14.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Harrisburg Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, 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 gun, in 30.6% 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, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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