Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Vondruska was shot and killed when he tried to prevent an armed robbery of $8,000 at the Yellow Cab Company garage at Leamington Avenue and Flournoy Street. The gunmen drove up to the garage just before 7:00 a.m. and confronted Patrolman Vondruska at his post. When the gunmen commanded "Stick them up," Patrolman Vondruska opened fire. One of the gunmen, armed with a machine gun, opened fire and killed him. The 24-year-old man was arrested at a local hospital where he went with a gunshot wound to his leg. He said he was shot by an unknown person as he was walking down the street. A witness identified him and he was charged with Patrolman Vondruska's murder. A cab driver was shot in the legs as he attempted to assist Patrolman Vondruska. Patrolman Vondruska was assigned to the Fillmore Street Station.
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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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Vondruska served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Vondruska.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Vondruska 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 Vondruska's cause is highlighted.
How John Vondruska Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Vondruska is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Vondruska was killed by rifle; machine gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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