Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John J. Gilhooley and Patrolman Frank G. Rappaport were ambushed by members of the radical group Black Panthers on a false call of a "man with a gun." As the officers entered a gangway between two buildings at 5824 S. King Drive, the man opened fire with a shotgun from a porch below, striking Patrolman Rappaport in the chest and Patrolman Gilhooly in the face and neck. The subject then shot Patrolman Rappaport again as he lay on the ground, killing him. Patrolman Gilhooly was transported to Billings Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds the following day. One subject was shot and killed by other officers, and another was wounded. Two more escaped from the scene. The wounded suspect pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder and was sentenced to 6-20 years. Patrolman Gilhooly was a United States Navy veteran who had served with the Chicago Police Department for 13 months. He was survived by his father, brother, and sister. His father also served with the Chicago Police Department at the time of the incident. The Black Panther Party was a black nationalist and Marxist revolutionary political and militant organization active in the United States between 1966 and 1982. Members and former members of the group were responsible for the murders of over 20 law enforcement officers and the wounding of dozens more across the nation. Please click here to visit all the law enforcement officers who have died as a result of the Black Panther Party's violent activism.
Survivors
He was survived by his father, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-1CF01F81- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Gilhooley gave the Chicago Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John J. Gilhooley served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman John J. Gilhooley 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 J. Gilhooley's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Gilhooley Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Gilhooley is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Gilhooley was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
