John Campbell is a 20-year referee who last March was on the ice at the United Center for the Illinois High School State Championship, where New Trier Green defeated York. Campbell and Steve Poapst were the linesmen, while Samantha Hiller and Scott Gaffney wore orange for the highlight game of the season – and one of many noteworthy officiating assignments Campbell has received.

And for the past 30 years, Campbell has truly worked in law enforcement. He is a detective for the Chicago Police Department’s Investigative Response Team (IRT) whose primary mission is to investigate incidents that involve police officers when they are victims of crimes. Such as, the 2024 in-the-line-of-duty deaths of officers Luis Huesca and Enrique Martinez. He also has been a cold case detective.

“Generally speaking, the focus of police officers and hockey referees are to enforce laws/rules in order to assist in creating a safe environment and hold those who don’t follow those rules accountable for their actions,” Campbell said. “Since I started as a USA Hockey referee in 1996, I have officiated numerous games involving fellow police officer's sons and daughters, who themselves are now police officers. Our hockey community is made up of many first responders and I really enjoy being a part of those moments in time that are created by our great sport.

“As a referee I use police training in de-escalation and active listening to lower the temperature of certain games. Especially when coaches may be upset with a call or interpretation of a rule. I try to empathize with their positions and give them their voice, instead of arguing.

“Police officers and detectives, from time to time, see some terrible things. Being an on-ice official allows me to step away from my investigations and be a part of an incredible game where players compete in a difficult sport and yet make it look easy. From those out there at the mite (level) to my son Jonathan and those U18 AAA players he skates with and against, you all inspire me to live up to those words, ‘To Serve and To Protect’ as both a police detective and a hockey referee.”

Campbell, 52, who lives in Chicago, officiated more than 100 games last season, primarily high school, girls’ games, Tier I and ACHA. He often skates at Fifth Third Ice Arena, Johnny's Icehouse, in Darien, Lincolnwood, Woodridge, Mt. Prospect, and elsewhere.

“When I played AAA and junior hockey in Canada, I was always impressed by the Canadian officials and the enjoyment that each had being involved in the games,” Campbell said. “One official in Nova Scotia, for instance, always enjoyed officiating our junior games and he told me, ‘Once you are done with competitive hockey and return to Chicago, don't forget to give back by coaching or officiating.’ That left an impression on me, and, in 1996, I proudly became a USA Hockey official.

“Working midnights on the westside of Chicago as police officer and immediately going from work to the ice rink. There was something refreshing, despite being tired, from going from the world of law enforcement to officiating a hockey game.”

In 1999 and 2001, Campbell was a linesman for the NAHL, among other career memories. Such as:

• In 2005, to pay tribute to Chicago Wolves player Tim Breslin, the Chicago Wolves and Chicago Blackhawks played a game at the Allstate Arena. Campbell officiated the game alongside NHL referee Rob Martell, NHL lineman Andy McElman and AHL linesman Steve Campbell. During that game Campbell awarded Denis Savard a penalty shot – and to the delight of 10,000 fans, Savard scored. “That was an incredible event to officiate,” he said.
• Many Paint the Rink Pink girl games for the Chicago Mission girls’ teams, and players in those fundraising games often painted his face pink before the puck dropped. “That is such an amazing cause I am so honored to be part of,” he said.
• Campbell and Joe Prescott this season officiated a girls’ U14 tournament championship game between Pittsburgh and the Chicago Hawks that went to overtime. “What a game we were treated to,” he said. “We were exhausted from having to make it up and down the ice with those (fast-skating) girls, but we were both up for the challenge and so happy to be involved in such an incredible hockey game. We were all in agreement, while there was one winner of the game, every one of those girls took a giant step forward in their development as hockey players. ‘Pops’ and I were proud to be a part of it.”
• Campbell has been a player and a referee for the annual Chicago Police Department vs. Chicago Fire Department game at the United Center. “As a player, my fellow referees assigned to officiate this game, consistently and deservingly, invited me to sit in the penalty box at the UC for minor disagreements that I had with my good friend, Chicago Fire Fighter Patrick Looney.”
• In 2009, a few years after he stopped playing with the CPD Hockey Club to focus on officiating, then-IHOA president Bob ‘Judge’ Stevenson contacted Campbell. “Due to circumstances from the 2008 CPD/CFD game, which I did not play in, ‘Judge’ felt I had the ability to officiate the game in a manner that would reign in the two clubs and keep those ‘circumstances’ from re-occurring,” he said. “I admit, that was a unique request, but hockey, particularly that game between the CPD and CFD, was bigger than me. As a result, I would not dishonor what it meant to me and everyone else by officiating in a manner that was nothing but fair and neutral.” The first major call of that 2009 game came when the police goalie threw his stick, resulting in a penalty shot. CFD did not score on the penalty shot, but they ended up winning, 3-2, “and there were no ‘re-occurring circumstances,” he said. “As a referee and a Chicago Police officer, it was a tremendous honor to officiate this game between the CFD and CPD and I am still close friends with many on each of those teams.”

Campbell said IHOA has been a solid foundation for his officiating career. “All the good and bad, ups and downs, funny and sad … there has always been a fellow referee who has been there to share my story,” he said. “IHOA has been very flexible when I needed to cancel last-minute because something police-related came up. IHOA has put me in the position to officiate so many big games, at all different levels, with some of our best officials, such as Blair Bigwood, Samantha Hiller, Ibrahim Arifi, Scott Gaffney, and others.”

He also praised such IHOA officials as Dave Zednik, Brad Baumruck, Bill Fehrman, Brett Straley, and others.

“Win or lose, I love watching (my son) Jonathan and his Chicago Fury teammates play our game,” Campbell said. “It re-energizes me and is a reminder of the amazing things life has to offer. Without our dedicated and gifted hockey officials, that would not happen. Thank you to all our officials who go out there and give their all to create an environment where moments in time are captured.”