John Rivera was a 23-year-old off-duty Chicago police officer when he was shot and killed on March 23, 2019, in the 700 block of North Clark Street in Chicago. Rivera, of Hispanic descent, had been with the Chicago Police Department for less than two years. He and friends were returning to his parked car after leaving a nearby establishment when an armed man approached and opened fire; Rivera was killed and another 23-year-old in the car was critically injured but later recovered.

The shooter, Menelik Jackson, later admitted to firing the shots and said he believed the group were the same people he had fought with earlier at a McDonald’s. Three people were arrested in connection with the attack: Jackson, Jaquan Washington and Jovan Battle. Jackson was found guilty of murder and related charges in October 2024; Washington pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and received a 13-year sentence plus three years for being a felon in possession of a firearm; Battle was sentenced to 65 years in 2021 for pointing out Rivera’s car to Jackson and Washington.

Rivera’s death was described as senseless: no words were exchanged or demands made before the shooting. If anyone knew Rivera or has information about that night, please share what might help complete the picture.