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Incident
Chief Calkins was shot three times and killed as he sat in his patrol car on Main Street. The investigation of his murder was very intense. Officers put forth a lot of extra effort comparing bullets from every .32 caliber pistol they came across to the ones found in Chief Calkins' body. On February 18, 1953, a man, 33, was arrested in Norfolk, Nebraska, after he broke into an implements store. He was admitted to a mental hospital, suffering from severe alcoholism his mother said was caused by being in a German prison for 15 months before the end of World War II. A month after his admission he confessed that he shot and killed Chief Calkins. He said Chief Calkins had stopped him and noticed a vanity case on the back seat of his car that a woman reported was stolen earlier from her car. He said Chief Calkins arrested him, placed him in his patrol car, and as he got back into his car he shot him three times. He also admitted to 15 burglaries and several larcenies from vehicles. He was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on June 27, 1953. He was paroled on December 17, 1968. Chief Calkins was survived by his wife and three children. His brother, a local constable, was appointed to assume his duties as police chief.
Survivors
Chief Calkins was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Calkins gave the O'Neill Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the O'Neill community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Calkins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Chester is the only officer of O'Neill Police Department remembered here.
Chester is one of 97 officers killed feloniously in NE, 64.2% of the 151 remembered there.
Chester is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Chester is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1952, 1 officer in NE was killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 68 years on record. The heaviest was 1977, with 6.
In 1952, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1952, 74 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Chester was 51. Of the 92 killed feloniously in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 51; the middle age was 41. Chester had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Chester was 51. 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. Chester had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Chester was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Chester had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 9.3% of these deaths in NE; August holds the most, 14.4%. Fridays: 16.5%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at O'Neill Police Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.2% of all 151 deaths in NE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.8% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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