John J. O'Donnell

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL

Felonious

End of Watch August 9, 1942

Age 30

The Vigil Panel 79 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 570

Incident

Patrolman John O'Donnell was struck and killed by a drunk driver while he was loading an accident victim into a police ambulance at the intersection of Diversey Avenue and Kilbourn Avenue.

The drunk driver crashed into the back of the ambulance, crushing Policeman O'Donnell between the two vehicles.

The 43-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with manslaughter and negligent homicide.

Patrolman O'Donnell was assigned to the Cragin Station.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-F0B9B3BA
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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman O'Donnell served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Donnell.

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

Agency

Department Chicago Police Department

Location Chicago, IL

Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 9, 1942

Age 30

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Vehicular assault

Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved

Offender Charged with manslaughter

Patrolman John J. O'Donnell 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.

Chicago Police Department

396

of 571 officers

69.4% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious