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Incident
Officer Edward Pflaume was shot and killed as he and other officers attempted to arrest two men suspected of committing a robbery earlier in the day. The suspects opened fire on the officers, killing Officer Pflaume and wounding a second officer. One of the suspects was killed and the other was wounded as he attempted to flee. The wounded suspect, William ''Three-Fingered Jack'' White, one of Al Capone's top lieutenants, was convicted of Officer Pflaume's murder and sentenced to life on January 21, 1927. In February 1929, he won a reversal in the supreme court which held that it had not been proved that Officer Pflaume and the other officers had the right to arrest him. At his new trial he was again found guilty of Officer Pflaume's murder but was only sentenced to 14 years in prison on March 14, 1931. He was paroled a short time later, but on January 23, 1934, he was shot and killed by rival gangsters in Chicago. Officer Pflaume had served with the Forest Park Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife.
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
You barely got started.
Officer Pflaume gave the Forest Park Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Forest Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Pflaume.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Forest Park Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Edward is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward 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 1925, 22 officers in IL were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1925, 208 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 11th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1925, 209 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Edward was 29. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 29. 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. Edward had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Edward was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Forest Park Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, 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 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Forest Park Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Edward among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Forest Park Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
