Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Dan Doffyn was shot and killed when he surprised burglary suspects at an apartment complex at 750 N Lorel Avenue at approximately 3:30 pm. He and other officers were heading for their squad cars at the Austin District police station at the beginning of their shift when they heard a radio report of a burglary in progress at a three-story, 15-unit apartment building directly across the street from the police station. A number of officers rushed to the scene, including Officer Doffyn. They arrived to the sound of breaking glass. This alerted the officers to an escape attempt out an apartment window. Officer Doffyn ran to a gangway alongside the building and caught one of the suspects just as he was coming out the window. He was preparing to make the arrest when a second suspect opened fire with a Tec-9 automatic handgun. Officer Doffyn was hit twice in areas not covered by his bulletproof vest. He died five hours later during surgery at Cook County Hospital. Another officer was also shot during the gun battle, but despite a serious leg injury, was still able to return fire and critically wounded the shooter. Three gang members with extensive criminal histories were apprehended at the scene. Approximately 20 minutes before the shootout with police, the three suspects shot and injured a rival gang member. They fled to the apartment of one of the suspect's girlfriends. She was not home at the time so they broke in. Another tenant in the building called the police to report the burglary. Fearing that police were chasing them for the earlier shooting, one of the suspects reportedly ordered his cohorts to "go at it till the end." The shooter was sentenced to death, but that conviction was overturned by then-Governor George H. Ryan who issued a moratorium on the death penalty and emptied the state’s death row by commuting the sentences of 167 inmates to life in prison. On October 17th, 2003, the Illinois Supreme Court ordered new trials for two men convicted of
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-B17CC3DC- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Daniel. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Doffyn served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Doffyn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Daniel J. Doffyn 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. Daniel J. Doffyn's cause is highlighted.
How Daniel J. Doffyn Compares
Offender Outcome
Life sentence
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Daniel J. Doffyn is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Daniel J. Doffyn was killed by handgun; tech-9.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
