The memorial honors Captain Henderson Foot , who was killed 128 years ago . Foote was the first African - American federal officer to die in the line of duty . He worked for a predecessor agency to today 's ATF . And on Monday , Foote was remembered and recognized as the first African-American federal office killed in the line of duty . He was killed by a lynch mob in Chicago , in March .
The memorial honors Captain Henderson Foot , who was killed 128 years ago . Foote was the first African - American federal officer to die in the line of duty . He worked for a predecessor agency to today 's ATF . He was killed by a lynch mob in Chicago , in March .