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Incident
Patrolman Theophil Seyller was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a boy wanted for stealing a bicycle.
The boy's father shot Patrolman Seyller four times, killing him. On March 8, 1895, the suspect was tried and acquitted.
Patrolman Seyller had served with the Peoria Police Department for one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and six 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
132 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Seyller gave the Peoria Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Peoria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Peoria Police Department has lost 15 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Theophil is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Theophil is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Theophil 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 1894, 1 officer at Peoria Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1894, 7 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1894, 70 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 103rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1894, 72 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 104th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Theophil was 42. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Peoria Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 44; the middle age was 37. Theophil had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Theophil was 42. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Theophil had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Theophil was 42. 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. Theophil had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Theophil was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Theophil had served 1 year; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 33.3% of these deaths at Peoria Police Department, more than any other month. Saturdays: 33.3%.
November holds 9.6% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Saturdays: 15.8%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 15 deaths at Peoria Police Department, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Peoria Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Theophil among them.
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Theophil Joseph Seyller
Nov 3, 1894
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William F. Murphy
Jun 23, 1903
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Edward Peter Barrett
Oct 12, 1907
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James Skinner
Jul 13, 1912
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Joseph H. Enos
Jan 13, 1916
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Norman Gray
Jan 24, 1916
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Samuel A. Moffatt
Nov 28, 1917
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Franklin P. Carr
Oct 5, 1918
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James H. Walker
Jul 7, 1927
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Arthur F. Aiello
Aug 29, 1929
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Robert Emmett Moran
Nov 15, 1933
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John D. Cusson
Aug 26, 1947
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Norval J. Wright
Sep 17, 1953
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Donan James Faulkner, Jr.
Sep 20, 2001
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Cristy Sue Tindall
Dec 30, 2004
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Peoria Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
