Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Sweeney of the Racine Avenue Station was found dead in an alley between Noble Street and Ross Street (modern-day Bishop Street), just off Chicago Avenue, with a bullet through the heart. Officers were sent to the area to investigate burglaries and heard a succession of shots. They immediately found Patrolman Sweeney but no suspects. The suspect was later caught and convicted. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison and died while still incarcerated in 1957. Patrolman Sweeney was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI. He had served with the Chicago Police Department for 10 years and was assigned to the Racine Avenue Station.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-B6B4611E- 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 Sweeney gave the Chicago Police Department 10 years.
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. Sweeney served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman John J. Sweeney 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. Sweeney's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Sweeney Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Sweeney is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Sweeney was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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