OFFICER JOHN RUSNAK

In the early morning hours of August 3, 1977, Officer John Rusnak, assigned to the Intelligence Unit, was conducting surveillance of members of a stolen auto operation being conducted in south suburban Alsip. After checking on the location where the stolen vehicles were dropped and where they were stripped, Officer Rusnak contacted his partner via police radio. The two officers planned to meet in Tinley Park a short time later to conduct a surveillance at the known offender's home.

Officer Rusnak entered Interstate 294 and traveled south for approximately one mile when he was hit in the left rear portion of his car by a pickup truck.

Officer Rusnak's car was spun around and pinned against the guard rail. The pickup truck rolled several times after the initial impact, stopping on top of Officer Rusnak's car.

Both vehicles burst into flames. Officer Rusnak died due to the fire and massive internal injuries. The driver of the pickup truck escaped through the window.

OFFICER MICHAEL RIDGES

On October 17, 1985, Officer Michael Ridges, assigned to North Investigations, was reviewing a series of vandalism incidents that had occurred around a Prospect Heights home. While working on the case near the home, he noticed a car with three men who closely matched the physical descriptions of the offendors in the case.

Officer Ridges contacted the Radio Room with basic vehicle and occupant descriptions, prior to curbing the car. Once stopped, all three men excited the car. While Officer Ridges was checking their identities, one man drew a concealed gun and shot Officer Ridges, once in the hand and once in the head, fatally wounding him.

The offenders were caught a short time later based on Officer Ridges' original radio transmission and a telephone call to police from a citizen who witnessed the shooting.

Police later discovered the three offenders were en-route to commit a contract murder at the same Prospect Heights home where Officer Ridges was conducting the vandalism investigation. One of the offenders then confessed to police he was prepared to kill everyone present in the intended victim's home.

In all, six men were charged and incarcerated in connection with Officer Ridges' murder. Their sentences ranged from 6 to 40 years in prison, while two offenders received natural life.

OFFICER JAMES KNAPP

On January 4, 2006 Officer James Knapp was killed when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of 100th Place and 76th Avenue in Bridgeview, Illinois.

Officer Knapp was en route to the Sheriff's Police Bridgeview District Office when his squad car rear-ended a semi-tractor trailer that was stopped awaiting to make a left-hand turn during foggy and slick road conditions. He was extricated from his squad car before being transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was pronounced dead.

Officer Knapp had served with the Cook County Sheriff's Police Department for 16 years, and is survived by his wife, who is a (Ret.) Lieutenant with the Cook County Sheriff's Court Services Division, two sons, parents, and brother.