Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 33 years*
Unit of Assignment / Detail: Bureau of Investigative Services - Detective Division: Unit 650 - Area 5 Detectives
District of Incident (Present Day): 001 - Central
Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy
Age at Time of Death: 58
Timeline
Date of Birth: 08 Oct 1933
Date of Appointment: 01 Jul 1957
Date of Incident: 20 Jul 1992
End of Watch: 20 Jul 1992
Date of Interment: 24 Jul 1992
Interment Details
Cemetery: St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery - Niles, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case:
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 16
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 3, Line 48
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 7-W: 19
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: Unknown
Incident & Biographic Details
Detective Harry A. Belluomini, Star #10021, aged 58 years, was a retired 33 year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Bureau of Investigative Services – Detective Division: Unit 650 – Area 5 Detectives Property Crimes.
In 1988, Detective Belluomini retired from the Chicago Police Department and began working as a Special Deputy Marshal for the U.S. Marshall Service.
On July 20, 1992, at approximately 5:30 p.m., inmate Jeffrey Erickson attempted to escape the custody of U.S. Marshals in the underground parking garage of the Dirksen Federal Building. Hidden in his mouth, Erickson had a handcuff key which he used to remove his restraints. After freeing himself, he assaulted and disarmed a U.S. Marshal. With the marshal’s gun, he immediately shot and wounded Deputy U.S. Marshal Ray Frakes, age 30. Then, he encountered Special Deputy Marshal Harry Belluomini and shot him in the chest. U.S. Marshall Belluomini was able to return fire and strike Erickson in the back. Erickson committed suicide after additional officers confronted him and realized escape was impossible. Special Deputy Marshall Harry Belluomini and Deputy U.S. Marshal Roy Frakes were transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and were pronounced dead upon arrival at 5:57 p.m. on July 20, 1992.
Robert Burke was sentenced to 20 years in prison for perjuring himself to a grand jury about his role in providing Jeffrey Erickson with a handcuff key.
Detective Belluomini was waked at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home located at 6150 North Cicero Avenue. His funeral mass was held at St. Juliana Church located at 7142 North Osceola Avenue. He was laid to rest on July 24, 1992 in St. Adalbert Catholic Cemetery, 6800 North Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, Illinois.
Detective Harry Belluomini, born October 8, 1933, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on July 1, 1957.
Detective Belluomini was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. He was survived by his wife, Milly (nee Cutich); children: Anne Marie (CPD), Karen (CPD) and Michael (CPD) and sister, Loretta M. He was preceded in death by his parents: Frank and Ruth (nee Cecci).