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Incident
Patrolman Anthony Samfay was shot and killed during a traffic stop at the 400 block of East Fair Street in Kankakee at 4:15 pm. As Patrolman Samfay was returning to his squad car with the violator's driver's license, the suspect exited his car and shot Patrolman Samfay five times in the back. The suspect, who had no prior criminal record, was later arrested without incident after carjacking another vehicle. The suspect was found guilty of murder and aggravated vehicular hijacking and sentenced to death. On January 11, 2003, the outgoing governor granted clemency to all 167 Illinois death row inmates as one of his last acts in office. The inmate's sentence was commuted to life without parole. Patrolman Samfay had served with the Kankakee Police Department for one year and previously served with the Maywood Police Department and Cicero Police Department.
Survivors
He is survived by his mother, aunt, uncle, and cousins.
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 Samfay gave the Kankakee City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kankakee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Samfay.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kankakee Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Anthony is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Anthony is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Anthony 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 1996, 3 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1996, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1996, 79 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 94th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Anthony was 26. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Anthony had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Anthony was 26. 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. Anthony had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Anthony was 26. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Anthony had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.2% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Thursdays: 15%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Kankakee Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% 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
Kankakee Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Anthony among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 14-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Kankakee Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
