United States of America
Headstone of John J. Mullen
U.S. Army · United States United States

John J. Mullen

Died January 4, 1921

John J. Mullen served in the U.S. Army.

How He Died
Manner Homicide
Cause Gunshot wound
Mechanism Firearm
What Happened

Patrolman John J. Mullen, of the 29th Precinct, was fatally shot at 12:57 a.m. on January 3rd, dying at 3:50 a.m., the next day at the Lincoln Gardens, Wells Street and Lincoln Avenue, by a man he tried to arrest. Officer Mullen responded to a disturbance of an intoxicated man in a cafe. Officer Mullen placed one offender under arrest for threatening a patron with a gun. The second offender approached Officer Mullen from behind and shot him. All assailants were indicted by the Grand Jury. On March 26, 1921, two were acquitted by the judge. On March 26, 1921, the shooter was sentenced to life imprisonment at Joliet Penitentiary. The shooters conviction was based on evidence provided by another man. The killer's friends vowed they would get him. On March 19, 1923, his mutilated body, with hands cut off, was found buried in the snow near Geneva.

Survivors
Patrolman Mullen, a WWI Army veteran, was survived by a wife and child and is buried at Mount Carmel Cemetery.
Media
John J. Mullen
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Service Record
U.S. Army
Also Served
Chicago Police Department
Patrolman
Memorials
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Panel 4-W · Line 17 cut as JOHN MULLEN
In Our Keeping
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Last updated August 2, 2026

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In tribute

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 Mullen gave the Chicago Police Department 3 years.

Thank you for your service to the Chicago community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.

Rest easy, brother.

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

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