Officer Matonich was shot and killed while investigating an incident near the Chicago Stadium, where he had been assigned for traffic duty. For some unknown reason a drunk and disorderly man commandeered a taxi cab at gunpoint.

In an attempt to bring attention to the situation, the taxi driver intentionally crashed the taxi near Officer Matonich’s location. When Officer Matonich went to investigate he was shot by the suspect five times. Other officers returned fire, killing the suspect.

He was survived by his wife.