Patrolman

Michael J. O'Rourke

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch October 24, 1903
Age 42
Tour of Duty 12 yrs 6 mo
Badge 426
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Michael O'Rourke was shot and killed during an assault investigation near the intersection of 32nd street and Dearborn Street. Patrolman O'Rourke provided an escort to a citizen who was a victim of an assault. As they walked, Officer O'Rourke noticed the offender in an alley. The officer pushed the woman into a doorway and confronted the offender. The man fired a gunshot, striking Officer O'Rourke; He succumbed to his wounds two days later. The subject who murdered Patrolman O'Rourke was acquitted. Patrolman O'Rourke served with the Chicago Police Department for 12 and a half years.

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 O'Rourke gave the Chicago Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman O'Rourke.

— 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 24, 1903
Tour of Duty 12 yrs 6 mo
Age 42
Badge Number 426
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Michael is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 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 1903, 103 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Michael was 42. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 12.5 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%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

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, Michael among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Michael J. O'Rourke

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch October 24, 1903

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E

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