Officer John Glenn Chase, Dallas Police Department, Texas

Officer John Glenn Chase

Dallas Police Department, Texas

End of Watch Saturday, January 23, 1988

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John Glenn Chase

Officer John Glenn Chase was shot and killed by a man who seized his service revolver near the intersection of Commerce Street and South Griffin Street.

Officer Chase was preparing to issue a traffic ticket to the driver of a vehicle he stopped at 8:40 AM. A homeless man approached and seized the officer’s service revolver. As Officer Chase pleaded for his life, a crowd gathered and began to chant, "Shoot him! Shoot him again!" The attacker shot Officer Chase in the head. He turned and walked down the street, dangling the gun from his hand before two off-duty officers shot him.

Officer Chase had served with the Dallas Police Department for 2-1/2 years. He was survived by his wife, parents, and brother.

Bio

Age 25
Tour 2 years, 6 months
Badge 5231

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Shot and killed

struggle, traffic stop

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I went through the academy with John. We both worked Central Patrol. The day John was brutally murdered changed all of our lives and John will never be forgotten. I'm still doing the job, but in Illinois now. I think about John every time an officer is tragically murdered. RIP John Chase.

Major Al Adams East Alton, Il. PD
DPD Class 190 member and friend

January 9, 2026