Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrol Officer Arthur Bassett was shot and killed during a disturbance while he was off duty. He was riding in his vehicle with his girlfriend, having turned onto Michigan Avenue from South Central Avenue, when another vehicle pulled in behind them. The four male occupants of the vehicle began yelling at Officer Bassett and his girlfriend before the males ordered the female companion into the rear of Officer Bassett's vehicle with the threat of being shot. Officer Bassett exited his vehicle with his weapon and a gunbattle took place, resulting in Officer Bassett being shot through the heart. Officer Bassett was able to return fire, striking at least one of the suspects who was then carried away from the scene by the other suspects. Officer Bassett died at the scene and the four suspects were never apprehended. Officer Bassett had served with the Rockford Police Department for three years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-485D8327- Stewardship
- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrol Officer Bassett gave the Rockford Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rockford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Bassett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrol Officer Arthur H. Bassett is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Rockford Police Department, 7 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 87.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Arthur H. Bassett's cause is highlighted.
How Arthur H. Bassett Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Arthur H. Bassett is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Arthur H. Bassett was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Rockford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
