Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman James Alfano was shot and killed while investigating a report of a gang fight that was about to take place. He was driving through an alley between 66th Place and 67th Street near Stony Island Avenue but was blocked by an obstruction in the roadway. As his vehicle was stopped, a sniper opened fire on him, fatally wounding him. Seven suspects were later taken into custody and charged with Patrolman Alfano's murder, including the shooter. The seven suspects were members of the Black P. Stone Nation Gang, Chicago's largest and most dangerous gang with more than 100,000 members. The shooter was one of the three leaders of the gang. All seven were tried for murder and acquitted. Patrolman Alfano was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who had served with the Chicago Police Department for nine years and was assigned to the Gang Investigation Section.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-D99EC056- 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 Alfano gave the Chicago Police Department 9 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
James Alfano, Jr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman James Alfano, Jr. 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. James Alfano, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How James Alfano, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Alfano, Jr. is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Alfano, Jr. was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
570 officers from Chicago Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
