Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Anthony Ruthy was shot and killed and Patrolman Patrick Durkin was mortally wounded 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.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-3808F751- 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 Ruthy served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ruthy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Anthony L. Ruthy 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. Anthony L. Ruthy's cause is highlighted.
How Anthony L. Ruthy Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1931
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Anthony L. Ruthy is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Anthony L. Ruthy was killed by handgun; .25 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
