Death Classification: Line of Duty
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 10 years, 9 months, 28 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: 17th District - Albany Park
District of Incident (Present Day): 020 - Lincoln
Location of Occurrence: 5140 North California Avenue
Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy
Age at Time of Death: 38
Timeline
Date of Birth: 21 Apr 1988
Date of Appointment: 29 Jun 2015
Date of Incident: 25 Apr 2026
End of Watch: 25 Apr 2026
Date of Interment: 08 May 2026
Interment Details
Cemetery: Elmwood Park Cemetery - River Grove, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Ceremony Pending
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Ceremony Pending
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Ceremony Pending
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Ceremony Pending
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: Unknown
Incident & Biographic Details
Police Officer John G. Bartholomew, Star #12963, aged 38 years, was a 10 year, 9 month, 28 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 17th District – Albany Park.
On April 25, 2026 at 9:52 a.m., Officer’s Bartholomew and his partner were working beat 1772 and assigned to transport a prisoner, Alphanso Talley, age 26, to Swedish Covenant Hospital, located at 5140 North California Avenue, for treatment. Talley was in custody for an armed robbery committed earlier in the day. Upon arrival at the hospital emergency room staff began to treat him. At approximately 10:50 a.m. Talley was taken for a MRI scan. While in the scan room the offender’s handcuffs were removed for the scan. Shortly after, the offender produced a concealed pistol and began firing. Officer Bartholomew and his partner were both struck in the head. Officer Bartholomew was transported to Illinois Masonic Hospital by CFD Ambulance #32 where he was pronounced deceased by Dr. Romano at approximately 12:15 p.m. on April 25, 2026. His partner was transported to the Illinois Masonic Hospital by CFD Ambulance #46 where he was treated and remained in critical condition.
Talley fled the scan room after the shooting and exited the hospital through the rear entrance of the emergency room. He was observed running naked down west Winona Avenue by witnesses. After a manhunt Talley was found hiding under a back porch at 2616 West Carmen Avenue. He was placed in custody without incident and his firearm was recovered at the scene. At the time of the incident, Talley was on electronic monitoring for a previous violent offense and had cut off his ankle monitor.
Officer Bartholomew was waked at St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church located at 5649 North Sheridan. His funeral mass was also held at St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church. He was laid to rest on May 8, 2026 in Elmwood Park Cemetery, 2905 North Thatcher Avenue, River Grove, Illinois.
Police Officer John G. Bartholomew, born on April 21, 1988, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on June 29, 2015, and was issued Star #12963. During his career he earned 1 Unit Meritorious Award, 1 Democratic Convention Service Award (2024), 1 Attendance Recognition Award, 1 Crime Reduction Award (2019) and 4 Honorable Mentions during his career.
Officer Bartholomew was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was survived by his family.
Incident Recorded Under Chicago Police Department RD #JK230816.