John J. Barch
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

John J. Barch

Accident
End of Watch November 20, 1953
Age 56
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
The Vigil Panel 89 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff John Barch was killed in an automobile crash while transporting a prisoner from Mount Vernon, Illinois, to Chicago.

The prisoner had been arrested in Mount Vernon on an outstanding murder warrant. His vehicle was struck by another car that ran a red light at the intersection of Cicero Avenue and 93rd Street in Oak Lawn. The impact spun the car around, and Deputy Barsh was ejected when it struck a light pole. He was transported to Little Company of Mary Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The other deputy and the prisoner were not injured.

The driver of the other car was charged with reckless homicide.

Deputy Barch had served with the Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services for two years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, three daughters, two sisters, a brother, and seven grandchildren.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-E314017F
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Barch gave the Cook County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Barch.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Chicago, IL
Platform Identity ccsodcsso.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 20, 1953
Tour of Duty 2 yrs
Age 56
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Accident

Deputy Sheriff John J. Barch is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.

In IL, 354 of 1,318 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 26.9% of this state's fallen. That is 26.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services, 1 of 8 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 12.5% of this agency's fallen.

Cook County Sheriff's Office - Department of Court Services
1
of 8 officers
12.5% Accident
IL — Statewide
354
of 1,318 officers
26.9% Accident
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Accident

National Cause Distribution

How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John J. Barch's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How John J. Barch Compares

Age at Death
56
This officer
Avg for Accident: 38.1 years
Years of Service
2
This officer
Avg for Accident: 9.1 years

When Accident Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Barch is highlighted in Nov.

Jan
820
Feb
730
Mar
748
Apr
708
May
848
Jun
797
Jul
899
Aug
938
Sep
913
Oct
925
Nov
872
Dec
897

Incident Location