Patrolman John Paul Jasper

Police Officer John P. Jasper (1926-1964)

“Life is for the Living”

I am Dr. John P. Jasper, son of Patrolman John P. Jasper, a Chicago Policeman who was killed while on duty on September 11, 1964.

Our family would like to thank Superintendent Philip Cline and Mayor Richard Daley for making this event possible.

My father grew up in Chicago, served aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Noa in the U.S. Navy in the Mediterranean Sea during World War II, landing at least in Italy and France. He returned to Chicago, married the woman who became my mother, Barbara Jasper (now, Walsh), and later joined the Chicago Police Department. My father and mother had four children, with ages spanning from six years to six months at that time: Janet, John, Cathy, and Laura.

My father served honorably at the Chicago Police Department and was well liked. He was killed when a drunk driver collided with his patrol car on that night in 1964. Our family remembers the night well -- too well. In any case, the Chicago Police Department supported our family well through the years. My mother raised the four children with the help of family and friends. All four children went on to complete various forms of higher education. While we grieved the loss of our father, after some time, my mother recognized our moving forward was the best testament that we could give to our father and her husband. As she said, “Life is for the living.”

Dr. John Paul Jasper
MIT LLC

September 20, 2025