Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Churchwood died from complications of an injury sustained on March 21st, 1864, when a drunk soldier fell on him at the Soldier's Home at what is now present-day 541 West Randolph Street.
He had been called to the home to place the disorderly soldier under arrest. He allowed the man to go to his room to obtain personal possessions. As they climbed the stairs the highly intoxicated subject stumbled and fell, knocking Patrolman Churchwood down as well. The two fell the entire length of the long staircase, resulting in Patrolman Churchwood suffering severe injuries and broken bones.
The injury quickly became infected and doctors recommended his arm be amputated, which Patrolman Churchwood refused to do. The infected spread throughout his body and he died as a result on March 25th, 1864.
Patrolman Churchwood was survived by his wife and son.
Survivors
Patrolman Churchwood was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-IL-8C947A6F- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
162 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Patrolman Churchwood served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John C. Churchwood is one of 1 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In IL, 354 of 1,318 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 26.9% of this state's fallen. That is 26.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Chicago Police Department, 107 of 571 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 18.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John C. Churchwood's cause is highlighted.
How John C. Churchwood Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. John C. Churchwood is highlighted in Mar.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
