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Robert Schanbaum
Agency patch
Policeman

Robert Schanbaum

Cook County Highway Police — Chicago, IL
Felonious
United States flag Illinois flag
End of Watch August 11, 1934
Age 31
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
The Vigil Panel 68 ›
Gender Male
Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 12

Incident

Policeman Robert Schanbaum was struck and killed by a drunken driver while he and his partner issued a speeding ticket to another driver on Milwaukee Avenue.

The occupants of the car, a family of four, and the two officers were standing next to the vehicles discussing the ticket when another car approached and struck the group. Policeman Schanbaum and the driver being ticketed were killed. The driver's wife and two children were injured, along with the drunken driver who was ejected from his vehicle. Policeman Schanbaum's partner was not injured.

Policeman Schanbaum had served with the Cook County Highway Police for seven years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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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.
Policeman Schanbaum gave the Cook County Highway Police 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Schanbaum.

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

Agency

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

Service Record

End of Watch August 11, 1934
Tour of Duty 7 yrs
Age 31
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Vehicular assault
Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

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Compare against
I

Time

In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Robert was 31. 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. Robert had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

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 automobile; alcohol involved, in 1% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Cook County Highway Police has 13 officers remembered here, Robert among them.

Across the years

Policeman Robert Schanbaum

Cook County Highway Police · End of Watch August 11, 1934

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-W

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