Death Classification: Line of Duty Death

Agency: West Park Police Department

Served: 12 years*

Unit of Assignment / Detail: Unit of Assignment Unknown

District of Incident (Present Day): 010 - Ogden

Cause of Death: Struck - By Train

Age at Time of Death: 51

Timeline


Date of Birth: 01 Jan 1868

Date of Appointment: 1907

Date of Incident: 010 - Ogden

End of Watch: 09 Apr 1919

Date of Interment: 12 Apr 1919

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: Rosehill Cemetery - Chicago, Illinois
 Grave Location: Unknown
 Interment Disposition: Burial

 

Memorial Details


Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # B-5

Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 15

Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 1, Line 55

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 37-E: 16

Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed

 

Service


 Military Service: No Military Record Found

 

Incident & Biographic Details


Park Policeman Robert Mills Love, Star #80, aged 51 years, was a 12 year veteran of the West Park Police Department, unit of assignment unknown.

On April 9, 1919, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Officer Love was struck and killed by a Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad train while on patrol at Shedd Park. Officer Love had been posted near 23rd Street and Millard Avenue to investigate complaints from citizens that young boys had been throwing stones in the park and at homes. It is believed that Officer Love was chasing the boys across the tracks and failed to see the oncoming train. A citizen, Harry Tibbets, was passing by when he saw the officer’s cap lying on the ground. He began a search and discovered Officer Love’s body. He then notified the Lawndale Station.

Officer Love was waked at his residence located at 1808 South Ridgway Avenue. He was laid to rest on April 12, 1919 in Rosehill Cemetery, 5800 North Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.

Park Policeman Robert Mills Love, born January 1, 1865, received his Probationary Appointment to the West Park Police Department in 1907.

Officer Love was a Master Mason. He was survived by his wife, Mary (nee Eckert) and four children: Emma Regine.

Chicago Police Historical Homicide Database case not found for this incident.

The West Park Police Department, in the City of Chicago, was disbanded on April 30, 1934. On May 1, 1934, the remaining officers were transferred to the Chicago Park District Police Department, which was organized on the same date. Four park district police departments, Irving, Lincoln, West, and South were consolidated into the Chicago Park District Police Department. Fallen Officer of the West Park Police Department are currently honored on the memorial wall of the Chicago Police Department as Chicago Police Officers. Their stars are displayed in the Honored Star Case located in the lobby of the Chicago Police Department at 3510 South Michigan Avenue.