Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Anthony Samfay was shot and killed during a traffic stop at the 400 block of East Fair Street in Kankakee at 4:15 pm. As Patrolman Samfay was returning to his squad car with the violator's driver's license, the suspect exited his car and shot Patrolman Samfay five times in the back. The suspect, who had no prior criminal record, was later arrested without incident after carjacking another vehicle. The suspect was found guilty of murder and aggravated vehicular hijacking and sentenced to death. On January 11, 2003, the outgoing governor granted clemency to all 167 Illinois death row inmates as one of his last acts in office. The inmate's sentence was commuted to life without parole. Patrolman Samfay had served with the Kankakee Police Department for one year and previously served with the Maywood Police Department and Cicero Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother, aunt, uncle, and cousins.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-FDC385D9- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Samfay gave the Kankakee City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kankakee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Samfay.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Anthony R. Samfay is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Kankakee Police Dept., 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Anthony R. Samfay's cause is highlighted.
How Anthony R. Samfay Compares
Offender Outcome
Death sentence commuted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Anthony R. Samfay is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Anthony R. Samfay was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kankakee Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
