Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 2, Line 19
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 32-E: 11
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: No Military Record Found
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman David Joseph Cairns, Star #911, aged 47 years, was a 15 year, 10 month, 3 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to District 6 – Grand Crossing.
On February 4, 1927, Patrolman Cairns was regulating traffic on the Northwest corner of 79th Street and Stony Island Avenue. An automobile struck Officer Cairns whose driver, Charles Smith, then fled the scene. Smith was apprehended two blocks from the scene by another motorist who pursued and caught him.
Charles Smith was indicted and held by the Coroner. On February 4, 1927 the Grand Jury returned a No Bill.
Officer Cairns was waked at laid to rest on February 7, 1927 in Evergreen Cemetery, 3401 West 87th Street, Evergreen Park, Illinois.
Patrolman David Joseph Cairns, born August 13, 1879, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on August 5, 1919.
Officer Cairns was survived by his wife, Lillian Justo (nee Lay) and son, David Arthur, age 12.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department homicide file, Case #7817.
Cemetery: Evergreen Cemetery - Evergreen Park, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: 
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 11
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 2, Line 19
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 32-E: 11
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Military Service: No Military Record Found