Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Kane was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three subjects who had just robbed a saloon at West 12th Street and 52nd Avenue (present-day Roosevelt Road and Laramie Avenue) at 1:00 am.
Patrolman Kane was on foot patrol on 50th Avenue when he heard shots fired. As he headed towards the sound of the gunfire, he witnessed three men running and ordered them to stop. Unknown to him, the three men had just robbed a saloon and shot four people during their heist. He asked them where they were running to when one of the subjects fired at Patrolman Kane. He was struck five times in the left breast, left arm, left leg, and abdomen. He returned fire.
Another officer on patrol with Patrolman Kane engaged in a gunfight with the three subjects. When he realized one man was wounded, he confiscated his weapon and used the call box to call for backup. During that time, the other two subjects took all the cash the wounded man had stolen and fled.
Patrolman Kane was transported to St. Anthony's Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds.
The investigation revealed that the bullet that killed one of the subjects was from Patrolman Kane's service weapon. A second subject was captured a few days later, and the third subject was never apprehended.
Patrolman Kane had served with the Cicero Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-AB6236F3- 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.
Patrolman Kane gave the Cicero Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cicero community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Kane.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John Kane 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 Cicero Police Department, 2 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 40% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Kane's cause is highlighted.
How John Kane Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Kane is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Kane was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cicero Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
