Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant John Cihak was shot and killed by a disgruntled patrolman whom he had just instructed to contact a judge in reference to a bond for four prisoners. Without warning, the patrolman shot Lieutenant Cihak in the head twice. The 34-year-old patrolman had recently been released from a mental hospital after showing signs of insanity. He was adjudged insane and recommitted. In 1963 he was still in the hospital for the criminally insane in Chester.
Survivors
Lieutenant Cihak was survived by his wife, daughter and four sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-983088F6- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Cihak served with the Berwyn Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Berwyn community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Cihak.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant John Cihak 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 Berwyn Police Department, 4 of 6 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Cihak's cause is highlighted.
How John Cihak Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Cihak is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Cihak was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Berwyn Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
