Officer Down Memorial Page

John was my uncle and sadly he was taken away from all of us when I was only 2 yrs of age. My Grandma, his dear Mother, my Mom, his sister and my aunts kept his memory alive with many stories, and I'm thankful for that. I know that he was a good man, very kind and honest. Over the yrs I remember my Mom telling of how hard Janice fought to keep the murderer in prison, how painful and difficult it must have been for her over the yrs, as well as for Jay, Jimmy and Timmy. It saddens and angers me that this subhuman, selfish and evil man was released, it is wrong. How can someone take a life and be allowed to be free to live theirs? Our family and his fellow officers and friends will remember him always for his bravery and service. God Bless him and all who knew him. RIP

Jeanine Ruble, Niece
March 21, 2013

John was my uncle. He came to visit us less than 1 month before he was killed. He & my mother(1 of his 8 sisters), recorded a song together. Mom is gone now & I am trying to locate the record. We still miss him, he truly was a beautiful soul.

Bobbie Clifton
niece
March 20, 2013

DEAR JOHN,
MET A LOT OF POLICEMEN THAT STILL REMEMBER YOU FROM YEARS AGO. HEARD A LOT OF VERY FUNNY STORIES AS WELL. WE ARE STILL TRYING TO MAKE SURE WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ANOTHER FAMILY.
SOMETIMES IT SEEMS, AT THE PAROLE HEARINGS, OUR WORDS ARE FALLING ON DEAF EARS BUT THEN AGAIN SOMEONE SEEMS TO HEAR THOSE WORDS BY THE TIME YOU GET TO SPRINGFIELD FOR THE EN BANC HEARINGS. WE SURE CAN USE EVERYBODY'S HELP UP THERE SO IF YOU COULD, MAYBE YOU COULD GATHER THE TROOPS THAT ARE WITH YOU AND MAYBE CHEER US ON BECAUSE WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET! AS ALWAYS, SAY HI TO MOM AND JIMMY AND LET THEM KNOW WE LOVE AND MISS THEM. STAN, MY DAD, STILL SPEAKS OF YOU AND ALWAYS TELLS A GREAT STORY!

P.O. T KUCHARSKI #11902
CPD
January 27, 2013

It has been 43 years, but the CPD will not allow your sacrifice to be forgotten. Thank you for your service.

Detective Thomas Downes
Chicago
October 9, 2012

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Tucker. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169
April 27, 2012

i was a young kid living at 79 th justine st in 1968 there was a Patrolmankilled in a bank 7935 S Ashland Ave.is Patrolman John R. Tucker the one killed that day.

mike gunderson
citizen
December 21, 2009

You have not been forgotten.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
October 8, 2009

Four decades may have passed but you have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones and those still out on patrol.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
October 8, 2008

I was lucky, the individual that killed my son was also killed so I never had a trial or parole boards to deal with. This case is a horrible travesty of justice. All the many years of missed special events, holidays and not living life to its fullest, while the perpitrator who is responsible for all this pain lived on and ends up on parole because he is sick. I hope his sickness is painful leading to his final day. Officer Tucker, you have not been forgotten. Thank you for being the hero that you are.

Bob Gordon
Father of CPD Officer Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04
October 8, 2007

Today on the anniversary we remember you and thank you Sir for your service.

This writed is appauled that your murderer has been release from prison after being convicted to serve life.

There is absolutely NO reason for that to happen.

A police office gave his life, I just don't get it.

For family, police family and friends. I am so sorry that justice was not served on Patrolman tucker's behalf

Pat Van Den Berghe
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH
October 8, 2007

John Tuckers' murderer was released from prison on Dec 12 2006.This came as a total shock to his family seeing they
were never notified that this was going to happen.I do not have a clue as to how this came to be but all I can say is
what a travesty of justice!The parole board didn't understand that John could very easily just ignored the situation and left the bank.But he stayed and died.For the
parole board to let his killer out is like saying to John's face you should've have left we do not care about
what happened to you.But your killer is sick and we have to take care of him first!I say to the parole board,he did
stay and he stayed because he was was a cop,and thats a
feeling i,m sure you will never have the pleasure of knowing.

p.o.T.Kucharski #11902
cpd
September 4, 2007

Tucker and all the others will always be honored and remembered for the hero's they are. They will never be forgotten because of this web site. It is not the same for some parolee who's life is meaningless, inconsequential and really does not matter. There will be no honor or foregivness for them.

Citizen
March 23, 2007

DEAR JOHN,NEVER FORGOTTEN,YEAH RIGHT!I WILL TELL YOU THIS,
I WAS MORE PROUD OF JANICE FOR TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING AFTER FINDING OUT ABOUT HIS PAROLE THAN AT ANY
OTHER TIME!EVERY AVENUE HAD BEEN TAKEN AND WAS MET WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS.I AM TRULY PROUD TO CALL HER MY SISTER!
I HOPE SOMEONE WILL READ THIS AND SAY SOMETHING MORE COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BECAUSE HE WAS NOT JUST A PATROLMAN BUT A
FATHER,HUSBAND,BROTHER,AND FRIEND TO MANY. JANICE TOOK A STAND AND AT LEAST GAVE HER ALL.37 YRS OUT OF 398 SERVED AND A RED FLAG NEVER WENT UP! JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW
THAT

PO T KUCHARSKI #11902
012 DISTRICT CPD
January 3, 2007

The dirt ball has been paroled, You Officer will be remembered always.

ANON
CPD
December 27, 2006

John,
You were my friend, I miss you and think of you often. You died a true
hero.

Ptlmn. Charles L Knight
Chicago Police Dept. Retired
December 10, 2005

Patrolman Tucker,
On today, the 37th anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Chicago.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

October 8, 2005