Roll of Honor
Incident
Night Policeman John Shaw was shot and killed as he and a merchant policeman responded to a fight at a home on the outskirts of town.
As the officers attempted to gain access into the home someone opened fire from inside with a shotgun, striking Policeman Shaw in the head. The other officer returned fire but did not strike the subject.
Two other occupants of the home were shot and a 1-year-old child was stabbed during the fight. The man who shot Officer Shaw committed suicide while hiding underneath the home's porch.
Policeman Shaw was survived by his wife.
Survivors
Policeman Shaw was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-2DC05850- 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.
Night Policeman Shaw served with the Virden Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Virden community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Policeman Shaw.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Night Policeman John Shaw 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Shaw's cause is highlighted.
How John Shaw Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Shaw is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Shaw was killed by shotgun.