Death Classification: Performance of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 25 years, 2 months, 12 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: Bureau of Operational Services - Criminal Investigation Division: Unit 633 - Area 3 General Assignment Section
District of Incident (Present Day): 008 - Chicago Lawn
Cause of Death: Illness - Cardiac Arrest
Age at Time of Death: 54
Timeline
Date of Birth: 23 Mar 1923
Date of Appointment: 01 May 1952
Date of Incident: 13 Jul 1977
End of Watch: 13 Jul 1977
Date of Interment: 18 Jul 1977
Interment Details
Cemetery: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery - Alsip, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # D-10
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 12
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall:
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 65-W: 30
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: No Military Record Found
Incident & Biographic Details
Lieutenant Patrick Joseph McGann, Jr., Star #385, aged 45 years, was a 25 year, 2 month, 12 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Bureau of Operational Services – Criminal Investigation Division: Unit 633 – Area 3 General Assignment Section.
On July 13, 1977, Lieutenant McGann and other officers responded to a “burglary in progress“ call at 3343 West Columbus Drive. A suspect observed in the rear of that location was placed under arrest and three additional offenders were spotted on the roof of the building. Two climbed down, but the third, a female, had to be assisted from the roof and lowered into the outstretched arms of Lieutenant McGann, who placed her on the ground. No signs of forced entry were found and further investigation revealed that the group was merely on the roof drinking beer. The four suspects were arrested and charged with minor drinking.
Lieutenant McGann left the scene of the incident and was driving his unmarked squad car northbound on California Avenue when he stopped for a red light at 59th Street. Witnesses stated that he then slumped over the wheel and the car began to move coming to rest after striking a light pole. Lieutenant McGann was transported to Holy Cross Hospital where he was pronounced dead from a heart attack.
Lieutenant McGann was waked at Sheehy Funeral Home located at 4950 West 79th Street. His funeral mass was held at St. Thomas More Church located at 2825 West 81st Street and was laid to rest on July 18, 1977 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 West 111th Street, Alsip, Illinois.
Lieutenant Patrick Joseph McGann, Jr., born March 23, 1923, received his Probationary Appointment to the Department on May 1, 1952. He earned 1 Department Commendation, 4 Honorable Mentions, 3 Merit Awards and 3 Complimentary Letters. In 1971, he was promoted to Sergeant. In June, 1976, he was promoted to Lieutenant.
Lieutenant McGann was a member of the Holy Name Society, Illinois Police Association, Police Benevolent & Protective Association and the St. Jude Police League. He was survived by his wife, Mary (nee Hayes); children: Edward T., John Andrew, Patrick E. (CCASA), Timothy J., Virginia Marie and William J.; siblings: Andrew J., Peg Redmond and Sally Fitzgerald and three grandchildren: Elizabeth, Patrick and Tricia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Johanna Frances (nee Barrett) and Patrick Joseph, Sr.
On July 17, 2018, Lieutenant McGann’s star was retired by Superintendent of Police Eddie T. Johnson and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 South Michigan Avenue.