Patrolman William P. Bosak, Chicago Police Department, Illinois

Patrolman William P. Bosak

Chicago Police Department, Illinois

End of Watch Saturday, March 3, 1979

William P. Bosak

Patrolman William P. Bosak and Patrolman Roger Van Schaik were shot killed in an ambush attack. Officers Bosak and Van Schaik were returning to their squad car when a motorist traveling in the opposite direction stopped along side them. Without warning, the assailant began firing at the officers.

The killer was apprehended, convicted of the murder and sentenced to death. On January 10, 2003, outgoing Governor George Ryan commuted the death sentences of all 167 Illinois death-row inmates, including the death sentence of Officer Bosak's murderer, as his last act in office.

Bio

Age 34
Tour Not available
Badge 3319

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Death sentence commuted

Most Recent Reflection

View all 28 Reflections

Today on the 39th anniversary of your sacrifice more than a dozen officers gathered at 1600 hrs, the time of your sacrifice, at the location you were murdered. Many of those officers were not even born at that time. We will never forget the sacrifice of you and your partner.

Detective Thomas Downes

March 3, 2018