Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Cusson was shot and killed while he and his partner were attempting to question a suspicious man in the early morning. As they stopped to question the man, the suspect jumped into the back of the patrol car and started firing, striking Patrolman Cusson. The suspect fled on foot as the other officer emptied his pistol at him. A few hours later, the suspect was captured in a cornfield 15 miles south of Peoria. The suspect turned out to be responsible for eight robberies the previous day. Two months later, the suspect, 24, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was also convicted of three unrelated crimes and sentenced to 30 additional years. Patrolman Cusson was a United States Army World War II veteran and had served with the Peoria Police Department for only eight months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and 3-month-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-E0A0165C- 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 Cusson served with the Peoria Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Peoria 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
John D. Cusson served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman John D. Cusson 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 Peoria Police Dept., 9 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John D. Cusson's cause is highlighted.
How John D. Cusson Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John D. Cusson is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John D. Cusson was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Peoria Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
