Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department, Railroad Police
End of Watch Friday, November 1, 1912
Add to My HeroesJohn W. Kamphouse
Police Officer John Kamphouse was shot and killed by train car thieves in the Proviso yards in Chicago, Illinois.
Officer Kamphouse had left a note for Officer Robert Spielman, brother of Officer Edward Spielman, killed in the line of duty on April 9th, 1912, that dangerous-looking men had been in the rail yards on his shift. Officer Kamphouse was last seen preparing to make his final rounds before going home but failed to report for work the following day.
After Officer Kamphouse's wife reported that he had never come home from work the previous evening, a search was begun. An hour later, a railroad employee found Officer Kamphouse dead of a single gunshot wound to the head on the north side of the yard.
Officer Kamphouse had served with the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department for two years and previously served as a marshal in Maywood, Illinois, for 15 years. He was survived by his wife and son. Officer Kamphouse was a brother-in-law of Officer Edward Spielman, who was shot and killed less than 200 feet away in the same yards six months earlier.
Bio
- Age 44
- Tour 17 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Location Illinois
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Never apprehended
Most Recent Reflection
View all 8 ReflectionsPolice Officer Kamphouse, It's been 112 years since you were murdered. It's eerie how your family made such sacrifices in the same location. Why this happened is well beyond our ability to comprehend, but it's noteworthy.
Brother, thank you for helping to protect one of America's greatest assets. it's railroads and may you forever Rest in Peace.
Officer Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Department
November 1, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths

Lieutenant Eddie Mays
Bernie Police Department, MO
EOW: June 5, 2025

Police Officer Gabriel Facio
Apache Junction Police Department, AZ
EOW: June 8, 2025

Police Officer Krystal Rivera
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: June 5, 2025

Sergeant J. D. White
Angleton Police Department, TX
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Timothy Ontiveros
Bloomfield Police Department, NM
EOW: June 1, 2025

Police Officer Samuel Riveros
Baldwin Park Police Department, CA
EOW: May 31, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Daniel Weston Sherrer
Morrow County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: May 26, 2025

Deputy Sheriff Nathaniel Ansay
Florence County Sheriff's Office, SC
EOW: May 20, 2025

Lieutenant Allen "Noochie" Credeur
Rayne Police Department, LA
EOW: May 5, 2025