Do you know who murdered Robert Tatman in 1967?
Robert Tatman, a patrol officer with the Champaign Police Department, was tragically killed in the line of duty on November 25, 1967, during a routine traffic stop. He radioed dispatch shortly after 1:00 a.m., reporting a vehicle stop on West Church Street near Mattis Avenue. A few minutes later, at approximately 1:10 a.m., a passing motorist used Officer Tatman's squad car radio to report that an officer was lying on the ground unresponsive. Officer Tatman was found near his squad car with a fatal gunshot wound and died at the scene. No suspect or vehicle description was ever obtained, leaving the case unsolved to this day.
The circumstances of the crime were puzzling. Tatman was shot with his own service revolver at close range, and evidence suggests that the weapon might have been taken from him during the confrontation. His body was found on the ground in front of his squad car, which was still running, with its lights flashing and the driver's door open. His flashlight was lying beside him, and his hat was found on the ground near the curb. The absence of blood trails and other signs indicated that Tatman died exactly where he fell, suggesting a sudden and violent confrontation with no time for him to defend himself effectively.
There have been numerous efforts to honor Officer Tatman, including memorial services and the installation of commemorative decals on Champaign Police Department squad vehicles. The community has continued to remember his sacrifice, and the Champaign Police Historical Society has made efforts to keep his memory alive through various memorial initiatives, including a commemorative coin. Despite the ongoing attention to his case, no perpetrator has ever been apprehended, leaving his family and the community without justice for over five decades. The circumstances of Tatman's death remain a solemn reminder of the risks faced by law enforcement officers and the importance of solving cold cases.
