Patrolman Roger W. Van Schaik and his partner Officer William Bosak were shot killed in an ambush attack. Officers Van Schaik and Bosak 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 Van Schaik’s murderer, as his last act in office.

Patrolman Van Schaik was survived by his wife and three children.