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: 21 Mar 1905
Date of Incident: 09 Apr 1919
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 Department homicide file 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 officers 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.