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John P. McAuliffe
Incident
Investigative Aide John McAuliffe and Investigative Aide Benedetto Spizzirri were shot and killed in Chicago, Illinois, after arresting three men who had stolen two bags of mail from the Chicago Post Office loading dock. The two aides had been conducting a stakeout of the post office as the result of a recent rash of thefts. After observing the theft of the two bags of mail, the aides stopped the suspect's vehicle at the corner of Clark Street and Roosevelt Road and took the men into custody at gunpoint. After searching the three men they were placed in the back of the government vehicle. One of the aides then attempted to move the suspect's vehicle out of the travel lane but could not get the car started. One of the three subjects offered to assist getting the car started and was allowed to assist. He reached under the dashboard, where he had hidden a gun, and slipped it into his shirt sleeve. The car was then started and moved out of the roadway. When the subject was again placed into the vehicle he drew the .32-caliber pistol and shot both aides in the back of the head, killing them both as they sat in the front of the vehicle. The three suspects fled but were later apprehended as the result of a joint task force setup to locate them. The suspect identified as the gunman, 37, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On February 27, 1968, his sentence was commuted to two concurrent terms of 120 years each. The two accomplices, 32 and 36, were sentenced to 199 years in prison. Investigative Aide McAuliffe had served with the United States Postal Inspection Service for eight years and was a Korean War veteran and the recipient of a Purple Heart.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Investigative Aide McAuliffe gave the United States Postal Inspection Service 8 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John P. McAuliffe served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
United States Postal Inspection Service has lost 14 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1960, 2 officers at United States Postal Inspection Service were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1960, 5 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1960, 60 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1960, 61 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 132nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 36. Of the 4 killed feloniously at United States Postal Inspection Service whose age is recorded, half were between 35.5 and 44.3; the middle age was 39. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 5.5 years.
John was 36. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 36. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 36. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 33.3% of these deaths at United States Postal Inspection Service, more than any other month. Mondays: 33.3%.
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.2%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 42.9% of all 14 deaths at United States Postal Inspection Service, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 83.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
United States Postal Inspection Service has 14 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Charles M. Davis
Jun 5, 1867
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Charles Fitzgerald Sep 23, 1908
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Elbert Perry Lamberth
Aug 16, 1917
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George Washington Daniel
Sep 1, 1919
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Levi C. Chance Feb 14, 1923
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Walter Richard Ton
Jan 10, 1938
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Finton T. McMahon
Aug 1, 1939
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Ernest M. Harkins
Jan 12, 1949
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Bruce Orrin Shaffer Aug 31, 1951
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John P. McAuliffe
Mar 14, 1960
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Benedetto M. Spizzirri
Mar 14, 1960
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Terrance M. Asbury
Feb 3, 1990
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Robert Francis Jones, Jr.
Jul 14, 2000
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Preston Boyd Parnell
Jul 26, 2012
Where
Military Service
John P. McAuliffe served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit John P. McAuliffe’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from United States Postal Inspection Service are honored on badge.nw.
