Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Byrnes succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained four days earlier while responding to a burglary in an alley near 61st Street and Halsted Street. He and his partner officers exchanged fire with two men who then escaped. On November 6th, 1926, two men were interviewed and named Patrolman Byrnes' killer who was in jail in Rochester, New York. The inmate then confessed to murdering Patrolman Byrnes. Patrolman Byrnes was assigned to the 11th District.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-EF19CCC9- 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 Byrnes served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Byrnes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John J. Byrnes 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. John J. Byrnes's cause is highlighted.
How John J. Byrnes Compares
Offender Outcome
In custody
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John J. Byrnes is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John J. Byrnes 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.
