Thomas J. Babbington
Agency patch
Sergeant

Thomas J. Babbington

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch January 26, 1925
Age 41
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Badge 575
The Vigil Panel 112 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Sergeant Thomas J. Babbington was attacked and shot during an arrest at 319 W Root Street. On January 21st, 1925, Sergeant Babbington entered a soft drink parlor in search of a wanted offender. While trying to find the suspect, Sergeant Babbington was stopped by the bartender and several patrons. Sergeant Babbington drew his service weapon and exited the establishment in order to call for back-up. The sergeant entered a taxi cab when several men followed behind him and shot him four times. Sergeant Babbington returned fire but did not shoot any of his killers. Sergeant Babbington was rushed to a local hospital. Before succumbing to his injuries he identified a well-known gangster as one of his shooters. Sergeant Babbington died on January 26th, 1925. The man Sergeant Babbington identified was charged with murder and held without bond. Several of his accomplices were arrested, but later acquitted. The prime suspect's charges were dropped. On March 21st, 1950, his body was found hanging on a barbed-wire fence near Hartsdale, Indiana. He had been shot in the head execution-style. Sergeant Babbington had served with the Chicago Police Department for 18 years. He was survived by his wife and two sons. He is buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and two sons.

In Our Keeping

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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.
Sergeant Babbington gave the Chicago Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Babbington.

— 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 January 26, 1925
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Age 41
Badge Number 575
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Thomas 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.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

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.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Thomas was 41. 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. Thomas had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.

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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Sergeant Thomas J. Babbington

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch January 26, 1925

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-E

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