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Bernard J. Lenehan
Agency patch
Detective Sergeant

Bernard J. Lenehan

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
United States flag Illinois flag
End of Watch October 5, 1919
Age 44
Badge 536
The Vigil Panel 85 · Column 4 · Line 8 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 570

Incident

Detective Sergeant Bernard Lenehan and Detective Sergeant George Burns were shot and killed during a holdup of a saloon on West Madison Street. The two officers had just entered the saloon when several minutes later two men entered with guns and announced a holdup. As Detective Sergeant Burns pulled his service weapon the men opened fire, striking him the abdomen. Detective Sergeant Lenehan was able to return fire. Detective Sergeant Lenehan, who was shot three times, was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds two days later. Several suspects were arrested including a former professional baseball pitcher turned gangster. All were released due to a lack of evidence. Later officials narrowed the murder's down to two suspects. One was never located. The other was shot and killed by Chicago officers on October 26, 1920, after he murdered Sergeant Edward W. Marpool of the Chicago Police.

Survivors

Detective Sergeant Lenehan is survived by his wife and eight 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.
Detective Sergeant Lenehan served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Lenehan.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Chicago Police Department
Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 5, 1919
Age 44
Badge Number 536
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Bernard is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Bernard was 44. 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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

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.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Bernard among them.

Across the years

Detective Sergeant Bernard J. Lenehan

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch October 5, 1919

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 16-E

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