Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Thomas Clark was shot and killed as he investigated a suspicious vehicle at 22nd Street (present day Taylor Street) and Jefferson Street. Patrolman Clark was assigned to patrol an area near a factory that was experiencing labor problems and recently had been bombed. He noticed three suspicious men in an automobile parked nearby and went to investigate. As Patrolman Clark approached the vehicle, the men opened fire, killing him. It is believed that the same three gunmen murdered Acting Lieutenant Terrence Lyons of the West Park District Police Department 30 minutes later as Sergeant Lyons investigated their suspicious activities in the park. Ultimately, seven suspects were indicted but not prosecuted; an additional eight suspects were then indicted, two of whom were not prosecuted. Of the six that were prosecuted, two were acquitted, one was sentenced to 14 years in Joliet prison, and one was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Patrolman Clark was a United States Army veteran who had served with the Chicago Police Department for over one year and was assigned to District 16- Maxwell. He was survived by his mother, sister, and brother. He is buried at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, sister, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-0C8309D4- 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 Clark gave the Chicago Police Department 1 year.
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
Thomas J. Clark served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Thomas J. Clark 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. Thomas J. Clark's cause is highlighted.
How Thomas J. Clark Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 25 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. Clark is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. Clark was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
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