John L. Bialk
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Detective Sergeant

John L. Bialk

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch September 21, 1916
Age 40
Badge 474
The Vigil Panel 31 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Sergeant John Bialk responded to a domestic dispute call. As he entered the home, Sergeant Bialk confronted the estranged husband. At this time, the husband shot his own wife as well as Sergeant Bialk when he attempted to intervene. Although wounded, Sergeant Bialk was able to detain his assailant until fellow officers arrived. He succumbed to his injuries three days later. The suspect was charged in Sergeant Bialk's death as intentional manslaughter but was was acquitted January 9, 1917.

Survivors

Sergeant Bialk served in the 40th precinct and was survived by his wife and five children.

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.
Detective Sergeant Bialk served with the Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Bialk.

— 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 September 21, 1916
Age 40
Badge Number 474
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 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 1916, 155 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

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.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.

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, John among them.

Across the years

Detective Sergeant John L. Bialk

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch September 21, 1916

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-E

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