Born April 27^th, 1945 in Rockford, IL. Attended Rockford Public Schools and graduated in 1963 from East High School. 1963 to 1967 served in the US Navy as a Torpedo man aboard the SS346, USS Corporal, a GuppyIII Class Diesel Submarine. Honorably discharged from the Navy in the spring of 1967.

March 15, 1974

This early spring day was overcast and chilly. The day started like most with Mike heading out the door for work and Terry home with the girls. He is dressed like many plain clothes Detectives of the time in dress slacks, turtle neck shirt and sport jacket. His department issued Colt 357 firearm in a holster on his belt with his handcuffs dangling through his belt in the back. He carries his Detectives badge in his breast pocket of his sport coat.

He jumps into his department unmarked Chevy Impala patrol car and heads into Rockford and his office. There he meets up with partner Detective Burgess and they receive their daily assignments. They are dispatched to investigate a homicide in South Beloit and collect evidence.

Early afternoon while heading back into the Rockford area on Highway 251 they receive an "All Points Bulletin" over their police radio. "All units be on the lookout for a orange, late model, Dodge Daytona and two armed bank robbery suspects". The Poplar Grove State Bank had just been robbed at gun point by two men and they have taken the Bank President hostage. Suspect vehicle was last seen headed west into Winnebago County.

Mike and his partner decide to go into Loves Park thinking the suspects may be heading back into the Rockford area. As they enter Loves Park they notice a bright orange Dodge fitting the description of the suspect vehicle. It is parked near a bar that’s a known hangout for local criminals. They radio in the information, call for backup and decide to investigate.

Mike and his partner plan to cover the exits of the establishment until backup arrives. Detective Burgess covering the front entrance and Detective Mayborne the rear. Little did either officer know, the suspects are not in the bar but holdup next door in a small barbershop. They are holding the barber and customers hostage. Other police units begin to arrive at the scene and the level of police activity begin to spook the suspect Bacino.

Theodore Bacino, decides to make a break for it out the rear of the barbershop. He attempts to take the barber with him at gun point. But the barber makes a break for safety out the front of the business. With gun in hand, Bacino bolts out the back of the shop and heads for the nearby neighborhood. He needs to pass through a small, narrow alley between two metal buildings and away from officers arriving at the front. The problem for Bacino is, Detective Mike Mayborne is blocking his only escape.

Before Mike can identify himself or pull his weapon, Bacino begins to fire. Mike is hit, first in the hand and then in the upper chest through his police badge. Detective Mayborne, seriously wounded, pulls his weapon and utters his final words, "Police Officer, drop your weapon". Bacino continues firing while Mike discharges a single round as he falls to his knees. Mike receives a final and mortal wound to his head at close range while Bacino is hit in the abdomen. Both men fall to the ground next to each other.

Theodore Bacino's account is very different then eyewitness accounts and evidence. He tries to explain his act of murder by saying it was an accident. He claims, Mike and him wrestled and during the struggle and his gun happened to discharge. He claims Detective Mayborne was not dressed like a Police Officer yet he says in his own words, "he knew Mike was Law Enforcement". In a final sickening account, murderer Bacino claims Detective Mayborne's kindness got him killed. "He was too kind" and didn't shoot first.
 
Eyewitness testimony in court detailed the final shot fired that afternoon. While Detective Mayborne is wounded and on his knees, Bacino fires a final round into the officers head within 5 feet. The shot was in a downward direction and execution style ending the officers life. Evidence in court also discredit Bacino's story that the two men wrestled. There was no gun powder residue found on either man or their clothes.  

In seconds other officers arrive and secure the scene. They cuff suspect Bacino while Mike lay bleeding and possibly dead. Efforts to save Mike Mayborne’s life fail as he is rushed to the hospital along with the wounded Bacino. As doctors work on the suspect’s gunshot wound, in the adjoining room, Officer Mayborne is pronounced dead.

Terry is home with her two girls as marked police cars pull into her driveway. She sees the cars but doesn’t see Mike. Thoughts quickly pass through her mind and turn into concern. She opens the front door and seeing the officer’s in tears, she knows. They only tell her, Mike has been shot and they need to take her to the hospital. They have orders not to tell her Mike is gone. But passion and concern overcome these fine young men. For they too have families and carry the same fear that they also may not return home safe someday. They tell her to prepare for the worst and to be strong.

Terry arrives at Rockford Memorial Hospital and in clear view of suspect Bacino in the room next door to Mike’s. As she weeps, she says her final goodbye to her husband. Detective Mike Mayborne dies March 15, 1974 at the age of 28 while in action of his duty.
 
Bacino survives his wound and is charged with first-degree murder, Federal bank robbery and kidnapping. He remains in the hospital delaying his release to jail by re-injuring his wound several times. His trial is set for the fall of 1974.

Bacino had a history of crime prior to 1974. In the late 1960’s he had been released from prison on parole after serving several years for armed robbery and kidnapping. He robbed his own neighbor and held this person at gunpoint for several hours before giving up to police.

Bacino decided to rob this small bank at gunpoint to pay off old gambling debits. He took the Bank President hostage for protection (his words). When asked, protection from who? He always responds, "from the police of course". Mr. Bacino expected a confrontation with police and was prepared to use his .38 handgun, we now painfully know. In a clear act of greed and crime, this crook took the life of a decorated serviceman, family man, outstanding Law Enforcement Officer and true American Hero. This career criminal devastated families, a police department and weakened an entire community.

Diagram of murder scene:

A Community Mourns

A few painful days after the March 15^th incident the Family, the Sheriff’s Department and the Community honored Officer Mayborne and he was laid to rest. The memorial service unbelievably moving and somber. Mike’s family still in shock and his fellow officers weep at the loss of their friend.