John Germano

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office — Rockford, IL

Felonious

End of Watch April 17, 1938

Age 34

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

The Vigil Panel 74 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 5

Incident

Deputy John Germano was shot and killed when he and another deputy went to a home to serve a disorderly conduct warrant on an ex-convict.

The man met the deputies at the door and opened fire with a shotgun, fatally wounding Deputy Germano. The man then fled to a nearby field where he committed suicide.

Deputy Germano had served with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office for four years.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IL-56FDB84C
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.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Germano gave the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Rockford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Germano.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Winnebago County Sheriff's Office

Location Rockford, IL

Platform Identity wcso.winnebago.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 17, 1938

Tour of Duty 4 yrs

Age 34

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Shotgun

Offender Committed suicide

Deputy Sheriff John Germano 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 Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, 3 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office

of 6 officers

50% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious