Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Costabile was shot and killed in a gunbattle with a 19-year-old soldier who was absent without leave. The suspect returned to the area to locate a woman he was obsessed with. Upon finding the woman and her boyfriend parked in front of her home, the suspect approached and opened fire on the male companion. After missing him twice, the suspect then turned the gun on the woman, wounding her before fleeing. As Patrolman Costabile and his partner went to the suspect's home at 1303 Vincennes Avenue, they found a cab waiting outside. When the suspect exited his residence he opened fire on the officers, striking Patrolman Costabile twice in the chest with a Spanish-type, 7.65 mm automatic pistol. Patrolman Costabile was able to return four shots at the suspect despite being mortally wounded before his partner killed the suspect with one shotgun blast to the head. The awaiting cab transported Patrolman Costabile, accompanied by his partner, to the hospital where he died within minutes. Patrolman Costabile had served with the Chicago Heights Police Department for three years and had previously served as an officer with the Cook County Highway Police and Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two young sons, father, two sisters and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-EF7427FE- 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.
Patrolman Costabile gave the Chicago Heights Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago Heights community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Costabile.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John W. Costabile 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 Chicago Heights Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John W. Costabile's cause is highlighted.
How John W. Costabile Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John W. Costabile is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John W. Costabile was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Chicago Heights Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
