Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Sevick was shot and killed by a prisoner who was attempting to escape from the Cook County Courthouse, at 26th Street and California Avenue, at approximately 10:30 am. The subject had obtained a gun smuggled to him by his sister while in a holding cell at the courthouse. After subduing the court bailiff he started making his way through a courtroom where he was confronted by Patrolman Sevick and another officer. The prisoner and officers exchanged shots and Patrolman Sevick was killed. The suspect was wounded and arrested a short time later. He was convicted of Patrolman Sevick's murder and executed in the electric chair on April 20, 1934.
Survivors
Patrolman Sevick was survived by his expectant wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-3FA47D94- 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 Sevick served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Sevick.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John G. Sevick 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 G. Sevick's cause is highlighted.
How John G. Sevick Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1934
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John G. Sevick is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John G. Sevick was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
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