Patrick J. Ryan
Agency patch
Patrolman

Patrick J. Ryan

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch August 8, 1933
Age 45
Badge 4940
The Vigil Panel 66 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Patrick J. Ryan was shot and killed by a gunman after the patrolman refused to accept a glass of wine from the man. Patrolman Ryan entered a tavern at 3328 W. Armitage Avenue and ordered a sandwich when a man approached him and offered the wine. When Patrolman Ryan declined, the man became enraged and threw the glass into Patrolman Ryan's face. As Patrolman Ryan drew his weapon a struggle ensued and he was shot in the abdomen. The 23-year-old suspect was arrested, convicted of murder, and sentenced to 199 years in prison. He was paroled in 1951.

Survivors

Patrolman Ryan is survived by his invalid wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Ryan served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Ryan.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 8, 1933
Age 45
Badge Number 4940
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Patrick is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1933, 184 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 15th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Patrick was 45. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Patrick among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Patrick J. Ryan

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch August 8, 1933

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 40-E

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