Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 3 years, 0 months, 8 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: 11th District - Fillmore
District of Incident (Present Day): 010 - Ogden
Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy
Age at Time of Death: 27
Timeline
Date of Birth: 24 Oct 1943
Date of Appointment: 22 Jan 1968
Date of Incident: 30 Jan 1971
End of Watch: 30 Jan 1971
Date of Interment: 04 Feb 1971
Interment Details
Cemetery: Lincoln Cemetery - Chicago, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # D-5
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 8
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 3, Line 23
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 49-E: 6
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: U.S. Army
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman Edgar J. Bronson, Jr., Star #13534, aged 27 years, was a 3 year, 0 month, 8 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 11th District – Fillmore Community Service Office.
On January 30, 1971, at 5:30 p.m., Officer Bronson was off duty in plain clothes when he was stopped by Eugene Thurman, age 20, of 1555 South Karlov Avenue. Thurman knew Bronson to be a policeman. Thurman stated he was cheated out of money at a dice game at Ace Livery located at 4021 West 16th Street and asked Officer Bronson to resolve the dispute. Officer Bronson entered the garage with Thurman and as he attempted to intercede in the gambling dispute an argument erupted. The argument was between Officer Bronson and Frank Eddie Outley, Jr., age 44, a notorious gambler also known as “Big Red.” At some point during the argument Outley produced a .22 caliber revolver, this prompted Thurman to tell Outley that he was a policeman. Without saying a word, Outley placed the revolver to Officer Bronson’s head and pulled the trigger before he calmly walked away. The manager of the cab stand, Jim White, age 39, heard the shot while he was outside and as he entered Outley walked past him and left the garage. Officer Bronson was struck at point blank range, the bullet entering his right cheek and exiting on the left side of his head three inches above the left ear. He was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital by beat 1070 where he was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Fethna at 5:44 p.m. on January 30, 1971.
On February 3, 1971, Outley surrendered to Criminal Court Judge Saul A. Epton. He was arrested and charged with Officer Bronson’s murder. Outley was ordered held without bail by Judge Hechinger and remanded to the County Jail pending trial. On March 29, 1971, Outley was indicted for murder. On September 15, 1971, Outley’s bench trial began in Judge Daniel J. Ryan’s courtroom. On September 29, 1971, he was found not guilty of all charges by Judge Ryan.
Officer Bronson was waked at A. R. Leak Funeral Home located at 7838 South Cottage Grove Avenue. His funeral mass was held at Omega Baptist Church located at 4627 South State Street. He was laid to rest on February 4, 1971 in Lincoln Cemetery, 12300 South Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.
Patrolman Edgar J. Bronson, Jr., born October 24, 1943, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department in January 22, 1968.
Officer Bronson served in the U.S. Army for 3 years, was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was Honorably Discharged. He was survived by his parents: Edgar J., Sr. and Velma (nee Sorrell); two sisters and aunt, Juanita Mayfield.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #K038291.