Nine CPOs remembered at police memorial ceremonies

May 5, 2006

SPRINGFIELD, IL- Nine Illinois Conservation Police Officers (CPOs) were remembered Thursday as part of Illinois Law Enforcement Memorial Day at the State Capitol, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Acting Director Sam Flood announced today. The day marked the first time that CPOs have been remembered along with other law enforcement officers.

“Today’s ceremonies are bittersweet,” said Flood. “While the day focuses on the somber remembrance of those who gave their lives in the line of duty, this is also an important day to finally honor those who served and protected our state’s natural resources and face many of the same dangers as other police officers.”

“Common wisdom was that there has never been a Conservation Police Officer murdered because of his law enforcement status - that couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Conservation Police Director Galen Westerfield. “Reaching back to as early as 1869, we have had two officers murdered, an officer drown while on duty and have lost six officers to car accidents.”

As the oldest, continuous service law enforcement agency in the state, the Conservation Police is both long and rich in history. Started in 1885, Conservation Police, then known as game wardens, have been charged with protecting Illinois’ wildlife and its natural resources through the Illinois Game Warden Act, a precursor to what today is the Illinois Wildlife Code.

A reception was held in Springfield Wednesday for family members of the deceased officers.

Director Westerfield presented plaques to family members on behalf of the IDNR at a reception following today’s ceremonies at the Capitol.

The following officers were honored during today’s ceremony at the State Capitol:

1907-Deputy Game Warden G. Earle Eldredge (37) - McHenry County

On February 24, 1907, Deputy Game Warden G. Earle Eldredge was the department’s first officer to be killed on duty and the first officer to be murdered. He was regarded as one of the most efficient game wardens in the state during his time, having more prosecutions to his credit than any deputy under the state game commission. The person or persons responsible for the death of Deputy Eldredge were never brought to justice.

1931-Inspector Charles Marcus Eldredge (63)-McHenry County

On July 4, 1931 Charles Eldredge was found slain. Possibly shot with a suspect’s gun, local newspapers would report, “it looked as if he had arrested someone and taken the suspect’s 32 revolver from the fellow and in a scuffle the party grabbed his revolver and shot him in the chest.”

1951-Investigator Otis John Whan (39)-Mercer County

On January 16, 1951, Inspector Otis Whan had just completed a check of commercial fishermen on the Mississippi River north of New Boston. He and his uncle accepted a ride back to Inspector Whan’s car. During the trip, the vehicle plunged through the ice into the swirling river, coming to rest on the bottom, some 14 feet below the surface.

1954-Investigator William D. Miller (53)-Will County

On December 1, 1954, Investigator William D. Miller took a phone call at his residence regarding illegal hunting in the Wilmington area. As all dedicated wardens would do, Investigator Miller immediately left his residence heading to the Wilmington area. Shortly after 7a.m., Investigator Miller’s state squad car skidded on an icy patch of road on the Rt. 66 Bridge over the DuPage River. Officer Miller’s vehicle crossed into oncoming traffic, striking a northbound vehicle head on.

1957-Investigator John (Red) Arthur Fletcher (54)-White County
Investigator Howard Russell Bunting (38)-White County

On February 17, 1957, Investigator John Arthur Fletcher and Investigator Howard Bunting were heading northbound on Rt. 1 heading to a district meeting. As Miller attempted to slow his vehicle, the brakes “grabbed,” throwing his vehicle into the northbound lane where it hit the side of Investigator Bunting’s car.

Investigator Fletcher and the passenger, was killed instantly. Investigator Bunting died as a result of his injuries six days later.

1970-Inspector Robert Elliott (63)-Clark County

On July 15, 1970, Inspector Robert Elliott of Casey was killed when the vehicle he was driving was involved in a head-on collision with a semi-trailer truck. The accident occurred on U.S. Route 40, four miles west of Marshall. Inspector Elliott died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash while being treated at Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana.

1972-Inspector Eugene Allen (62)-Morgan County
Inspector Loring Carr (66)-Morgan County

Inspector Eugene Allen was at the wheel en route to Jacksonville with fellow Inspector Loring Carr. Inspector Allen was taking Inspector Carr to pick up his state vehicle from a garage where it was being repaired. It was opening day of duck season. At approximately 8:15 a.m. while northbound on Rt. 67 near Murrayville, the vehicle the inspectors were traveling in was hit head-on by another vehicle traveling southbound. Seconds later, a third car struck the two disabled vehicles. Both investigators were pronounced dead at the scene.