Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Wednesday, June 5, 1968
Age: 28
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 11174
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 5, 1968
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: 1 killed, 2 arrested
Patrolman Henry L. Peeler, of the Englewood District, was shot and killed by a gunman who murdered Sergeant Jack Armstrong, of the Southern Railway Police Department, two months earlier in East St. Louis, Illinois.
After the gunman and three others murdered Sergeant Armstrong, they stole his service weapon, which was used to murder Patrolman Peeler. Patrolman Peeler’s partner was shot in the right forearm and left hand.
The incident began when policemen noticed three men lying on a lawn in front of an apartment building at W. 57th Street and S. Morgan Street, holding open liquor containers. As the officers approached, one man tried to run and opened fire when Patrolman Peeler pursued him behind 5659 S. Morgan Street. Patrolman Peeler was shot five times but returned fire before he died. Patrolman Peeler’s partner, who had been questioning the other two, ran to assist and killed the attacker.
Patrolman Peeler had served with the Chicago Police Department for two years. He is survived by his wife and two children.