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Incident
Detective Henry Bodendieck succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier while questioning a burglary suspect at 40th Street and Waverly Avenue. He and several other officers had been searching for the suspect when they stopped by a local candy store to use the phone to report in. As the other officers made the call Detective Bodendieck recognized the suspect sitting at a booth in the store. Detective Bodendieck asked the man's name and the man identified himself. When Detective Bodendieck ordered the man to stand up the man produced a revolver and opened fire, killing him. The suspect attempted to flee but was apprehended by the other officers in the store. The man was convicted of Detective Bodendieck's murder and sentenced to death but had the sentence reduced to life in prison after winning an appeal.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Bodendieck served with the East St. Louis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the East St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Bodendieck.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
East St. Louis Police Department has lost 22 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
Henry is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Henry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Henry 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 1924, 2 officers at East St. Louis Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 13 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 3.
In 1924, 22 officers in IL were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Henry was 45. Of the 17 killed feloniously at East St. Louis Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 43.
Henry was 45. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
Henry was 45. 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.
Henry was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 16.7% of these deaths at East St. Louis Police Department; February holds the most, 16.7%. Saturdays: 33.3%.
April holds 9.5% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.8% of all 22 deaths at East St. Louis Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
East St. Louis Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, Henry among them.
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Thomas Reedy May 5, 1903
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Patrick Gill
Sep 6, 1908
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James J. Arnold
Feb 11, 1913
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Marion League
Feb 27, 1916
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James P. Madden Aug 5, 1916
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Henderson D. Trafton
Nov 18, 1916
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Samuel H. Coppedge Jul 1, 1917
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Franklin J. Wodley
Jul 3, 1917
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Robert Roy Aldridge Jan 11, 1919
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James O'Brien
Apr 1, 1919
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Perry V. Frost Nov 14, 1920
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Joseph B. Friesz Feb 24, 1924
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Henry Bodendieck Apr 5, 1924
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David A. Moehler
Apr 18, 1925
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Clare A. Fletcher
Jun 16, 1940
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Earl V. Anderson Mar 25, 1951
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Norvell Ray
Jan 25, 1958
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Charles E. Lewis
Mar 16, 1962
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Fredrick D. Hudson
Jul 29, 1966
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Kenneth Joseph McCoy
Jun 7, 1973
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Manuel Farmer, III
May 25, 1975
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Robert B. Broshears
Jun 23, 1977
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
21 officers from East St. Louis Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
