Death by Cop 2021-2025
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Matthew J. Blanke
Age : 53
Gender : Male
Race : White
Date : 08/29/2025
Location : 600 block of West Madison
City : O’Fallon
County : St. Clair
State : Illinois
Agency : O’Fallon Police Department, Illinois State Police
Officer(s) :Brett Johnson
Cause of Death : Gunshot
Event : Killed by police during domestic disturbance call
OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :
On 08/29/2025, at approximately 7:43 p.m., O’Fallon police responded to the 600 block of West Madison Street after a 911 call reporting a domestic disturbance involving a man with a knife. The man was subsequently identified by St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. as 53-year-old Matthew J. Blanke of O’Fallon.
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When Officer Brett Johnson arrived, two women were running from the property. Later information released by the O’Fallon Police Department and Fraternal Order of Police identified them as Blanke’s wife and stepdaughter. Both had suffered stab wounds and were bleeding.
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Johnson’s body-camera recording, released by Illinois State Police in February 2026, shows Johnson getting out of his patrol vehicle as the two women moved away from the property and Blanke approached from the front yard holding a knife. Johnson drew his handgun and twice ordered Blanke to drop the knife.
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Blanke continued moving toward Johnson while holding the knife. Johnson then fired seven shots in approximately two seconds. Blanke fell forward onto the lawn.
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Additional officers arrived and police performed chest compressions and other emergency medical treatment. Blanke was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:07 p.m. The two women were transported to a hospital and treated for their wounds.
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The O’Fallon Police Department requested an independent investigation by the Illinois State Police. Investigators reviewed Johnson’s body-camera recording, patrol-car video and other evidence before submitting the completed investigation to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office.
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On 11/25/2025, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges against Johnson. Illinois State Police subsequently released the body-camera and patrol-car recordings on 02/03/2026 after consulting with prosecutors and providing Blanke’s family an opportunity to view the recordings.
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Johnson’s identity was not disclosed in the initial reporting or in the February 2026 Illinois State Police video release. However, subsequent reporting identified the shooting officer as O’Fallon Police Officer Brett Johnson. O’Fallon Police Chief Kirk Brueggeman publicly confirmed Johnson’s identity in February 2026. The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police and O’Fallon Police Department subsequently gave Johnson valor awards for his actions during the encounter.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND
Brett Johnson was the O’Fallon Police Department officer who fired seven shots at Matthew Blanke.
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Johnson had previously been named as a defendant in a federal civil-rights lawsuit. On 03/08/2023, Joshua K. Burton filed Burton v. Johnson et al. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, naming Brett Johnson, another O’Fallon officer, the O’Fallon Police Department and another defendant. The case was filed under 42 U.S.C. §1983 as a civil-rights action.
