Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer John W. Mathews was attacked and killed by five assailants. Officer Mathews was returning home and was attacked and killed by five assailants while investigating a drinking and drag racing party near Wolf Lake, just north of 13041 S. Avenue M. He was off duty when he noticed several squad cars down the street. He went to assist the officers and cleared the scene. Later in the night, he returned to the scene to check on it when five men came out of the woods and attacked him with several blunt objects. The killers were arrested and convicted; all have since been released from prison. Officer Mathews served the Chicago Police Department for 18 months.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, three children, parents, three sisters and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-EF21F754- 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.
Police Officer Mathews gave the Chicago Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Mathews.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John W. Mathews 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 W. Mathews's cause is highlighted.
How John W. Mathews Compares
Offender Outcome
Released from prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John W. Mathews is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John W. Mathews was killed by blunt object.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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