Remembering Fallen North Shore Officers During Police Week

Those who have fallen while protecting the communities of the North Shore are not forgotten, as we remember the service of every officer whose life have been lost in the line of duty at local departments, as well as among state police and sheriff's deputies, during Police Week 2018. Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day were designated by President John F. Kennedy in 1962. Since then, it has been marked by a series of events in Washington, D.C. and around the country to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

These year in the capital, the names of 360 officers who were killed in the line of duty were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. That includes 129 officers who were killed during 2017 and the sacrifices of 231 officers who died in previous years.

Find information below about each officer to die in the line of duty at police departments along Chicago's North Shore, presented in reverse chronological order.

Owen Masterton, Glenview Police Department

End of Watch: Dec. 6, 2014

Patrol Officer Owen Masterton, 42, suffered a fatal heart attack as he collapsed in his chair at the beginning of his shift. He had responded to a dispute and four other calls during his shift the previous night. Other officers performed CPR, but Masterton passed away at a nearby hospital about an hour later. He served with Glenview police for 20 years and was survived by his son. The Department of Justice ruled his passing a line of duty death, although the Glenview Police Pension Board has disputed the determination and there is pending litigation on the matter.

James Sauter, Illinois State Police

End of Watch: March 28, 2013

Trooper James Michael Sauter, 28, of Vernon Hills, was killed when a truck struck his cruiser in Northbrook on I-294 south of Willow Road. He had been was stopped in the left shoulder of the south-bound lanes shortly after 11 p.m. when a semi-trailer rear-ended his squad car and both vehicles burst into flames. Sauter was pronounced dead at the scene. In January 2016, the driver received a two year prison sentence as a result of guilty pleas to several commercial vehicle violations. Sauter served with state police for four years and nine months. He is survived by his wife, parents, and brother.

Robert Reimann, Highland Park Police Department

End of Watch: Jan. 6, 1984

Officer Robert C. Reimann, Jr., 32, was fatally struck by a semi-trailer while questioning a suspect in a home invasion on the side of the road with another officer. He was a nine-year veteran of the department and survived by his wife, father and sister.

Gary Murphy, Lake County Sheriff's Department

End of Watch: June 15, 1976

Deputy Sheriff Gary D. Murphy, 29, was shot and killed by a Knollwood woman after police got a report of a woman firing a handgun at a group of children at a Lake Bluff elementary school. She was reportedly upset that they were playing at a nearby playground. Murphy and another officer tried to disarm the woman and they were both shot. Murphy suffered a fatal gunshot wound in the groin, while the second officer was shot in the arm. The woman, a 51-year-old retired Women's Army Corp's officer, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in June 1977 and committed to a mental health facility. Murphy was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served with sheriff's office for eight years. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Robert E. Burke, Winnetka Police Department, Illinois

End of Watch: May 23, 1957

Patrol Officer Robert Eugent Burke, 31, was fatally shot by a man who immediately took his own life. Burke was on patrol near the intersection of Green Bay and Church road around 9:30 p.m. when he noticed a man standing by the side of the road holding a suitcase. He parked his patrol car to investigate and took about three steps from the car before the man pulled out a .38 caliber revolver and fired four shots. Burke was struck in the chest and managed to return fire but did not hit the man. As Burke lay on the ground, the man pointed a gun at a witness before walking across the street and killing himself. No motive has ever been established and his killer had no criminal record. Burke served seven years with Winnetka police after previously spending two years with the Evanston Police Department.

Harry Hasselberg, Glencoe Department of Public Safety

End of Watch: June 17, 1930

Patrol Officer Harry Edward Hasselberg, 42, was killed in a motorcycle crash as he pursued a speeding vehicle on Tower Road after chasing the vehicle through Glencoe into Winnetka. As he tried to pull up alongside the fleeing car, he collided head-on with another vehicle at Sheridan Road while the suspect continued to flee. Hasselberg served two years with the Glencoe Department of Public Safety.

Warren H. Omslaer, Evanston Police Department

End of Watch Wednesday, October 5, 1927

Officer Warren Henry Omslaer, 27, was killed in a traffic crash when a car driven by a retired Evanston police officer made a left-hand turn in front of the motorcycle in which he was riding. Omslaer was thrown from the motorcycle's sidecar and suffered fatal head injuries, while its driver suffered minor injuries. Omslaer served with Evanston for 18 months and was survived by a wife and two sisters.

Police Officer James H. Sage, Lake Forest Police Department

End of Watch: Nov. 19, 1923

Officer James H. Sage, 26, was killed in a motorcycle crash when he collided with a car at the intersection of Washington Road and Rosemary Avenue. Sage had served with the Lake Forest Police Department for two years and was survived by his wife of just over a year.

James Shea, Evanston Police Department

End of Watch: Feb. 25, 1918

Detective James Shea, 28, was fatally shot after being called to a store where a man was trying to pass a bad check. Police and the store owner questioned the man, and when it became clear the man was lying, he pulled out a handgun and shot Shea in the chest three times. The suspect was shot three times by the other officer on scene. He was found guilty and sent to prison and two mental institutions before he was released in 1935. Shea served with Evanston police for seven and a half years and was survived by his parents who lived in Ireland and he supported financially.

Clyde M. Spradling, Lake Forest Police Department

End of Watch: July 25, 1915

Officer Clyde Merl Spradling, 26, was killed in an automobile accident while on duty. Spradling had served with the Lake Forest Police Department for four years.

George W. Daugherty, Evanston Police Department

End of Watch: Sept. 22, 1885

Patrolman George W. Daugherty, 37, was shot and killed as he chased a man he suspected of being a burglar. A man and his 14-year-old son were headed duck hunting at 2:30 a.m. and Daugherty thought they had a box of stolen goods. The father and son took off running in opposite directions after he ordered them to halt. The officer fired a warning shot at the fleeing man. He returned fire with a shotgun, fatally wounded Daugherty. The man was tried for murder but he and his son testified they thought the patrolman and his partner were trying to rob them. Daugherty, who had served with Evanston police for three years, was survived by this wife and children.