Michael J. O'Rourke
Agency patch
Patrolman

Michael J. O'Rourke

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch October 24, 1903
Age 42
Tour of Duty 12 yrs 6 mo
Badge 426
The Vigil Panel 18 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Michael O'Rourke was shot and killed during an assault investigation near the intersection of 32nd street and Dearborn Street. Patrolman O'Rourke provided an escort to a citizen who was a victim of an assault. As they walked, Officer O'Rourke noticed the offender in an alley. The officer pushed the woman into a doorway and confronted the offender. The man fired a gunshot, striking Officer O'Rourke; He succumbed to his wounds two days later. The subject who murdered Patrolman O'Rourke was acquitted. Patrolman O'Rourke served with the Chicago Police Department for 12 and a half years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-F331C566
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Michael. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman O'Rourke gave the Chicago Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Rourke.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 24, 1903
Tour of Duty 12 yrs 6 mo
Age 42
Badge Number 426
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

Patrolman Michael J. O'Rourke is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 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 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

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
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael J. O'Rourke's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Michael J. O'Rourke Compares

Age at Death
42
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
12.5
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael J. O'Rourke is highlighted in Oct.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael J. O'Rourke was killed by gun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location