Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective John J. Blyth was killed and killed in a shootout with a drunk subject at the entrance to an alley near 4711 S. Wells Street. Three other persons were wounded in the shooting. Two of the victims were painting the interior of a church on West 47th Street when they heard a woman scream in the alley. They investigated and were shot by the gunman. Detective Blyth and his partner heard gunfire and chased the assailant into the alley where the fatal gunfight took place. Detective Blyth's killer was captured a few minutes later by officers who followed a blood trail. He was convicted of murder, sentenced to death, and executed in August of 1962. Detective John Blyth often spent off-duty hours chasing down criminals and in 1951 he was commended for his part in solving 229 crimes. His death ended 87 years of service by three generations of his family on the Chicago Police Department. His father was a policeman for 30 years and Detective Blyth wore his star No. 1395, which has since been retired. Detective Blyth's maternal grandfather was a policeman for 40 years.
Survivors
Detective John Blyth was survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, mother, and five siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-54A18BF9- 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.
Detective Blyth gave the Chicago Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Blyth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective John J. Blyth 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 J. Blyth's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Blyth Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Blyth is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Blyth was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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