Patrolman George Schlenger Jr. | Star #1671

Patrolman George Schlenger, Jr., Star #1671, aged 30 years, was a 2 year, 0 months, 12 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to District 9, 24th Precinct – Desplaines.

On October 4, 1891, at 9:00 p.m., Officer Schlenger was working with his partner, Patrolman Eugene Geary. The two officers standing at a Patrol Box located at the corner of Randolph and Peoria Streets. A citizen ran up to them and excitedly exclaimed that two men were attempting to kill a woman in the basement of No. 11 North Peoria Street (present day 161 North Peoria Street). The officers rushed to the location and heard the woman’s cries of distress coming from a room in the rear of the building. The officers quickly burst through the front door and entered the building. Through a middle door, Officer Schlenger observed Michael Moriarty, a well-known ex-convict, and attempted to place him under arrest. Moriarty anticipated Officer Schlenger’s intent and jumped out of a side window. Moriarty broke the glass and took the window sash with him as he fled into the alley. Officer Schlenger immediately turned around and ran out the front door and caught up with Moriarty on the sidewalk. Without any warning, Moriarty drew a pistol and fired. Officer Schlenger was hit in the head and fell to his knees drawing his own weapon and firing off three shots as Moriarty made good his escape.

A patrol wagon was summoned and Officer Moriarty was taken to Cook County Hospital. Once at the hospital, he was examined and it was found that the bullet had penetrated his skull immediately above the right eye. The physicians examining his wound expressed the opinion that it was not necessarily serious. Their main concern was that pus could form and meningitis would set in, in which case his chances of recovery would be very slight. Officer Schlenger lingered in the hospital for six days, succumbing to his injury on October 10, 1891.

Michael Moriarty was later apprehended at No. 138 South Green Street (present day 430 South Green Street). He was in the company of John Mayne, Cora Winkle and Ida Winkleflat all of whom were at the Peoria Street address when the incident occurred. Recovered on Moriarty’s person were two revolvers, both freshly loaded. Moriarty and the other three were taken to the Desplaines Street Station and then to the hospital where they were identified by Officers Schlenger and Geary. Once identified, they were transported back to the station. Moriarty eventually stood trial, found guilty and was sentenced to life in Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet. The other three were released.

Officer Schlenger was waked at Sigmunds Hall located at No. 192 West Chicago Avenue (present day 1032 West Chicago Avenue). He was laid to rest on October 13, 1891 in Calvary Cemetery, 301 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Illinois. His grave is located in Lot 21, Block 56, Section P.

Patrolman George Schlenger, Jr., born October 10, 1861, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on September 29, 1889.

Officer Schlenger was a member of the Fraternal Policemen’s Benefit Association and Americus Lodge No. 271 Knights of Pythias. He was survived by his wife; daughter, Kathleen and three other children and siblings: B. A. Madden, H. M. Schlenger and Mrs. S. Gorton.

Incident recorded under Chicago Police Historical Homicide Database, Case #2810.

In February 1958, Officer Schlenger’s star was retired by Commissioner Timothy J. O’Connor and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 1121 South State Street. In 2000, Chicago Police Headquarters moved to a new facility at 3510 South Michigan Avenue, Officer Schlenger’s Star was re-encased in the new headquarters building lobby.