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Incident
Town Marshal Charles Chapman was accidentally shot and killed by another officer who was preparing to clean his service weapon.
The .38-caliber revolver discharged, striking Marshal Chapman in the chest. The other officer was cleared of blame in the shooting.
Marshal Chapman had served with the Munster Police Department for 10 months and had previously served with the Lake County Sheriff's Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Town Marshal Chapman gave the Munster Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Munster community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Town Marshal Chapman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Munster Police Department has lost 2 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Charles is one of 151 officers lost to accidents in IN, 30% of the 503 remembered there.
Charles is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Charles is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1947, 2 officers in IN were lost to accidents, the 18th heaviest of 85 years on record. The heaviest was 1942, with 4.
In 1947, 53 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 88th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1947, 60 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 91st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Charles was 29. Of the 149 lost to accidents in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 47; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 3.8 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Charles was 29. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 3.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 29. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Charles had served 3.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.9% of these deaths in IN; December holds the most, 11.3%. Thursdays: 8.6%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Munster Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 503 deaths in IN, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Munster Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Munster Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
