Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John J. Ryan was shot and killed while attempting to serve an arrest warrant on an armed robber at 1589 Clybourn Avenue. During the arrest, the felon began to resist. He produced a revolver and opened fire, fatally wounding Patrolman Ryan. Patrolman Ryan's killer was fatally wounded in the exchange and died later that evening.
Survivors
Patrolman Ryan was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-77617B8F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Ryan gave the Chicago Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ryan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John J. Ryan is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 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 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
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. Ryan's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Ryan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Ryan is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Ryan was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
