Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Thursday, August 12, 1943
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Fire
Date of Incident: August 11, 1943
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman James Karl succumbed to burns sustained while attempting to rescue the driver of a gasoline truck that had crashed into the Belt Line Railroad Viaduct at 4600 West 16th Street.
Gasoline leaked from the truck and pooled around a stalled car. When the driver of the car attempted to start it, the gasoline was ignited and caused the gas truck to explode. The driver of the truck and Patrolman Karl, who was attempting to pull him from the truck, both suffered fatal burns. Seventee other bystanders also sustained injuries from the explosion.
Patrolman Karl was taken to a local hospital where he died the following day.
Patrolman Karl was survived by his wife, two children, and parents.