William J. Rosenstreter
Agency patch
Patrolman

William J. Rosenstreter

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch November 6, 1914
Badge 3980
The Vigil Panel 29 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Officer William Rosenstreter was shot and killed as he attempted to make an arrest. Officer Rosenstreter, while investigating a disturbance at a drinking establishment, observed an intoxicated man smashing a glass door and attempting to enter. As Officer Rosenstreter detained him, the offender turned around, placed a revolver to the officer's neck and fired. Officer Rosenstreter died shortly after as a result of his injuries. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder. He said he thought Officer Rosenstreter, in plain cloths, was a robber. His trial ended with a hung jury.

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.
Patrolman Rosenstreter served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Rosenstreter.

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

Agency

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

Service Record

End of Watch November 6, 1914
Badge Number 3980
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1914, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

By month
By day of the week
III

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
IV

His people

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

Across the years

Patrolman William J. Rosenstreter

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch November 6, 1914

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-E

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