Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Patrick McGovern was shot and killed when armed robbers ambushed him at the intersection of Sheridan Road and Ainslie Street. He was assigned to escort a Pantheon Theater employee carrying cash receipts to a bank and was unaware that three armed offenders waited in a nearby parked automobile. As Patrolman McGovern and the citizen passed by, the offenders jumped from the car and opened fire. Patrolman McGovern was shot several times and died a short time later. No suspects were ever found guilty. Patrolman McGovern had served with the Chicago Police Department for over six years. He was survived by his parents, a brother who also served with the Chicago Police Department, and five sisters. Another brother was a fireman with the Chicago Fire Department and was killed in the line of duty fighting a fire on Canal Street.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, a brother who also served with the Chicago Police Department, and five sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-21115C84- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman McGovern gave the Chicago Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McGovern.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Patrick J. McGovern 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. Patrick J. McGovern's cause is highlighted.
How Patrick J. McGovern Compares
Offender Outcome
Never solved
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Patrick J. McGovern is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Patrick J. McGovern was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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