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Incident
Patrolman John Cusson was shot and killed while he and his partner were attempting to question a suspicious man in the early morning. As they stopped to question the man, the suspect jumped into the back of the patrol car and started firing, striking Patrolman Cusson. The suspect fled on foot as the other officer emptied his pistol at him. A few hours later, the suspect was captured in a cornfield 15 miles south of Peoria. The suspect turned out to be responsible for eight robberies the previous day. Two months later, the suspect, 24, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was also convicted of three unrelated crimes and sentenced to 30 additional years. Patrolman Cusson was a United States Army World War II veteran and had served with the Peoria Police Department for only eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 3-month-old daughter.
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.
Patrolman Cusson served with the Peoria Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Peoria community, and for your service before it. 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 D. Cusson served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Peoria Police Department has lost 15 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 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 1947, 1 officer at Peoria Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1947, 3 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1947, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1947, 87 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 22. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Peoria Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 44; the middle age was 37. John had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 22. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. John had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 22. 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 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 22. 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 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 11.1% of these deaths at Peoria Police Department; November holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 22.2%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 15 deaths at Peoria Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 55.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Peoria Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Theophil Joseph Seyller
Nov 3, 1894
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William F. Murphy
Jun 23, 1903
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Edward Peter Barrett
Oct 12, 1907
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James Skinner
Jul 13, 1912
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Joseph H. Enos
Jan 13, 1916
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Norman Gray
Jan 24, 1916
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Samuel A. Moffatt
Nov 28, 1917
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Franklin P. Carr
Oct 5, 1918
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James H. Walker
Jul 7, 1927
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Arthur F. Aiello
Aug 29, 1929
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Robert Emmett Moran
Nov 15, 1933
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John D. Cusson
Aug 26, 1947
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Norval J. Wright
Sep 17, 1953
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Donan James Faulkner, Jr.
Sep 20, 2001
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Cristy Sue Tindall
Dec 30, 2004
Military Service
John D. Cusson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit John D. Cusson’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 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Peoria Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
