Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant John Chiska was in plainclothes when he was approached by three armed offenders who announced a robbery at 2218 North Laurel Avenue (modern-day Washtenaw Avenue) at 9:30 am. Sergeant Chiska identified himself as a police officer and arrested two of the offenders. The third gunman shot Sergeant Chiska. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. Two men were found guilty of Sergeant Chiska's murder. The first was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The second was sentenced to death and executed at the Cook County Jail on October 13th, 1939. Sergeant Chiska had served with the Chicago Police Department for 21 years, assigned to the 31st District- Cragin.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, his mother, and three brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-F70A5D21- 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Chiska gave the Chicago Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Chiska.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant John Chiska 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 Chiska's cause is highlighted.
How John Chiska Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1939
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Chiska is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Chiska was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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