Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William P. Bosak and Patrolman Roger Van Schaik were shot and killed in an ambush attack near the intersection of 115th Street and May Street at 4:15 pm. They were returning to their squad car when a motorist traveling in the opposite direction stopped alongside them and opened fire with an M-1 rifle without warning. The killer was apprehended, convicted of the murder, and sentenced to death. On January 10th, 2003, outgoing Governor George Ryan commuted the death sentences of all 167 Illinois death-row inmates, including the death sentence of Officer Bosak's murderer, as his last act in office. As of November 2022, he is still incarcerated, serving life without parole. Patrolman Bosak was a United States Marine Corps reserve Vietnam veteran and had served with the Chicago Police Department for over 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-8C049AC7- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Bosak gave the Chicago Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
William P. Bosak served in the Marine Corps (1965â1966) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman William P. Bosak 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. William P. Bosak's cause is highlighted.
How William P. Bosak Compares
Offender Outcome
Death sentence commuted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William P. Bosak is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William P. Bosak was killed by rifle; m-1.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
