Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John S. Collins was shot and killed while off duty when he attempted to apprehend a car thief in the Sears store parking lot at 79th Street and Kenwood Avenue. He and his wife were Christmas shopping at a department store at 79th and Kenwood when their 10-year-old son got lost in the crowded store. Patrolman Collins and his wife thought the boy might return to the car and went to the parking lot to look for him. As they approached their car, they observed a man attempting to break into it. When Patrolman Collins asked the man what he was doing, the man replied that he apparently had mistaken the car for his own. Patrolman Collins identified himself as a police officer. The man drew a revolver and grabbed Mrs. Collins as a shield. As Patrolman Collins drew his revolver the man fired one shot at him but missed. He then ran from the lot with Patrolman Collins in pursuit. When Patrolman Collins caught up with him in a gangway, a struggle ensued, and Patrolman Collins was fatally shot. He was transported to Jackson Park Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The 25-year-old killer was apprehended and sentenced to death. On June 15th, 1973, he was resentenced to 100 to 200 years after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled all death sentences invalid.
Survivors
Patrolman Collins is survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-21D68230- 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
You barely got started.
Patrolman Collins gave the Chicago Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Collins.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John S. Collins 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 Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John S. Collins's cause is highlighted.
How John S. Collins Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John S. Collins is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John S. Collins was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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