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Incident
Detective Ernest Purgatorio was shot and killed while he and several other officers investigated a call at a local hotel. An elderly man was believed to have a young girl in his room and the girl's father wanted officers to retrieve her. When the detectives knocked on the man's door and identified themselves, he replied that he would shoot the first person through the door. One of the officers returned to the police station to obtain tear gas and then returned to the scene. The officers kicked the door in, but the man stuck a rifle through the opened door and fired a shot, striking Detective Purgatorio. The man then climbed down a rope ladder to another room and exited to the hotel lobby where he was arrested by other officers. The subject was convicted of manslaughter and served 10 years in prison.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Purgatorio served with the Springfield Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Purgatorio.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Springfield Police Department has lost 10 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Ernest is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Ernest is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Ernest 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 1933, 1 officer at Springfield Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 8 years on record. The heaviest was 1885, with 2.
In 1933, 19 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1933, 186 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ernest was 26. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Springfield Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 28.5 and 36; the middle age was 33.
Ernest was 26. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Ernest was 26. 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.
Ernest was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 11.1% of these deaths at Springfield Police Department; August holds the most, 33.3%. Mondays: 11.1%.
July holds 10.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Mondays: 14.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 90% of all 10 deaths at Springfield Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 3.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Springfield Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Ernest among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Springfield Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
