Illinois Department of Conservation - Division of Law Enforcement, Illinois
End of Watch Sunday, February 24, 1907
Add to My HeroesG. Earle Eldredge
Deputy Game Warden Earle Eldredge was shot and killed while investigating reports of poachers on his family's nature preserve northeast of Richmond in McHenry County.
His body was found two days later and the suspects were never apprehended.
Deputy Game Warden Eldredge's brother, Inspector Charles Eldredge, was shot and killed 24 years later while serving with the same agency. Inspector Charles Eldredge was shot with the same gun used to murder his brother, which the inspector had been carrying ever since in the hopes of finding those responsible for his brother's murder.
Deputy Game Warden Eldredge had served with the Illinois Department of Conservation for seven years.
The family's nature preserve later became the North Branch Conservation Area.
Bio
- Age 37
- Tour 7 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun; Revolver
- Offender Never apprehended
Most Recent Reflection
View all 10 ReflectionsWhile your assailants were never caught and brought to justice they surely faced a higher authority and higher justice at a later time in a different place. Thank you for your service and please know that your sacrifice is one that will never be forgotten. Rest In Peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)
July 4, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor, Jr.
Pennsylvania State Police, PA
EOW: March 8, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kaleb Mitchell
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: March 7, 2026
Master Trooper Steven J. Perry
North Carolina Highway Patrol, NC
EOW: March 1, 2026
Conservation Enforcement Officer Senior Shawn Nixon
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, AL
EOW: November 23, 2025
Corporal David M. Hathcock
Montgomery Police Department, AL
EOW: February 22, 2026
Correctional Officer Dustin Pedigo
Tennessee Department of Correction, TN
EOW: February 25, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Michael Hislope
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 24, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Gabriel Ramirez
Christian County Sheriff's Office, MO
EOW: February 23, 2026
Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Lewis
Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: February 23, 2026

