Bio & Incident Details
Age: 30
Tour: Not available
Badge # 2958
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 2/10/1927
Weapon: Officer's handgun
Suspect: Apprehended
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Officer Joseph Bender was standing in front of his home when he observed an automobile parked nearby. Two armed offenders exited, approached Officer Bender, and announced a robbery. When Officer Bender resisted, one of the gunmen fired and killed the officer.
Two boys, ages 18 and 19, were arrested for Officer Bender's murder a few days later after they wrecked a car they had stolen. Officer Bender had been shot with another officer's service revolver. That officer had been robbed in the exact same way by the suspects hours earlier. Both officers were in civilian clothes.
Both suspects were found to be responsible for over 50 other robberies. They were both sentenced to life in Joliet Prison.
