Patrick Joseph McGann Jr. | Star #385

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.