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Incident
Detective Sergeant John Nerad succumbed to gunshot wounds suffered three weeks earlier while attempting to question two suspicious individuals in an alley on the north side of 25th Street, between 51st Avenue and 52nd Avenue. Detective Sergeant Nerad was off duty, running errands with his wife when he saw the two men. He exited his vehicle and identified himself as a police officer. The two men immediately attacked him and knocked him to the ground. As he fell he drew his weapon and fired at the suspects, one of whom also drew a weapon. The suspect shot Detective Sergeant Nerad in the back three times as he lay on the ground. Detective Sergeant Nerad's killer was eventually arrested and charged with his murder. On June 22nd, 1932, he shot and killed Guard Leo G. Nicholas in the Cook County Jail with a smuggled handgun. When cornered by other guards he shot and killed himself. Detective Sergeant Nerad had served with the Cicero Police Department for 14 years.
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Nerad gave the Cicero Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cicero community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Nerad.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Cicero Police Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 16 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 40. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. John had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 40. 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 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 10.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Cicero Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Cicero Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Cicero Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
