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Incident
Detective Sergeant John Penn succumbed to injuries suffered the previous day when he was struck by a vehicle while crossing a street at 11:45 pm. The collision caused him to strike his head on the windshield post and suffered a skull fracture. Detective Sergeant Penn had served with the Bloomington Police Department for 30 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
30 years. You could have gone home.
Detective Sergeant Penn gave the Bloomington Police Department 30 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Bloomington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Penn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Bloomington Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1931, 8 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1931, 100 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1931, 115 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 65. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37. John had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 65. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. John had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 65. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9% of these deaths in IL; October holds the most, 11.3%. Wednesdays: 13%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 14.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Bloomington Police Department, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Bloomington Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 59-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bloomington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
