John J. Matonich
Agency patch
Patrolman

John J. Matonich

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch October 16, 1970
Age 33
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Badge 5670
The Vigil Panel 107 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman John Matonich was shot and killed while investigating an incident on Madison Street in front of Gate 1 of the Chicago Stadium, where he had been assigned for traffic duty. A subject had just robbed a cab driver of cash and then stole the taxi. As he fled he crashed into two parked cars in front of the stadium. When Patrolman Matonich went to investigate he was shot by the suspect five times. Other officers returned fire, killing the suspect. Patrolman Matonich had served with the Chicago Police Department for nine years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw
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 Matonich gave the Chicago Police Department 9 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Matonich.

— 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 October 16, 1970
Tour of Duty 9 yrs
Age 33
Badge Number 5670
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

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

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1970, 138 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 29th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

John was 33. 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. John had served 9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.

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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

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

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman John J. Matonich

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch October 16, 1970

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 37-E

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