Rockford Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Wednesday, December 31, 1980
Age: 23
Tour of Duty: 2 years, 4 months
Badge Number: 236
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: December 31, 1980
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Patrol Officer Randall Blank was shot and killed during a foot chase.
Officer Blank had responded to a local bar for a report of a purse snatching. When he arrived he engaged the suspect in a foot pursuit which resulted in a struggle. During the struggle the suspect was able to gain control of Officer Blank's service weapon and shot him in the head.
The suspect was apprehended a short time later by responding units.
Officer Blank had served with the Rockford Police Department for 10 months and had previously served with the Freeport Police Department for 1-½ years.