Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Patrick Durkin and Patrolman Anthony Ruthy were shot and killed by a man they attempted to arrest at the Chicago Public Library on Michigan Street. The man, wanted for a bank robbery in Neponset eight days earlier, had gone to the library to meet his wife who helped police set up a trap for him. When he saw the officers approaching he produced a pistol and opened fire. Both Patrolman Ruth and Patrolman Durken, along with a third officer, were struck in an exchange of fire. The subject ran up Randolph Street but was tackled by a store clerk and arrested by police. Patrolman Ruthy died minutes later. Patrolman Durkin died at a local hospital two days later. The subject was convicted of murdering both officers on May 29th, 1931, and was subsequently executed in the electric chair on October 16th, 1931. Patrolman Durkin had served with the Chicago Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-308845DE- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Durkin gave the Chicago Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Durkin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Patrick Durkin 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 97,756 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.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Patrick Durkin's cause is highlighted.
How Patrick Durkin Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Patrick Durkin is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Patrick Durkin was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
