Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Peter Mellody was shot and killed while investigating the sounds of a burglar alarm coming from a building at 35th Street and Vernon Avenue.
Patrolman Mellody, who was returning home after his shift, entered the building and encountered a private watchman. The two mistook each other for a burglar and Patrolman Mellody struck the watchman with his club. The watchman then fired two shots, fatally wounding Patrolman Mellody.
The watchman was cleared of all charges in connection with Patrolman Mellody's death.
Patrolman Mellody had served with the Chicago Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-0DEEBC45- 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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Mellody gave the Chicago Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mellody.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Peter Mellody 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. Peter Mellody's cause is highlighted.
How Peter Mellody Compares
Offender Outcome
No charges filed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Peter Mellody is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Peter Mellody was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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