Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Powell and Officer Henry McDowell were shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man in Garfield Park on Lexington Street near Independence Boulevard. Officer Powell, while conducting a raid on an illegal racetrack, pursued a racehorse owner who was brandishing a gun while attempting to escape. He was shot twice while apprehending the assailant. The same gunman also killed a second officer, Henry McDowell. The officers' killer was also shot and killed. Patrolman Powell served with the Chicago Police Department for less than two years.
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BO-US-IL-3AAA7895- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Powell gave the Chicago Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Powell, Jr. 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. John Powell, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How John Powell, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Powell, Jr. is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Powell, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
