Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 11 years, 7 months, 8 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: District 11 - Englewood
District of Incident (Present Day): 007 - Englewood
Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy
Age at Time of Death: 43
Timeline
Date of Birth: 09 Nov 1882
Date of Appointment: 22 Feb 1915
Date of Incident: 26 Sep 1926
End of Watch: 30 Sep 1926
Date of Interment:
Interment Details
Cemetery: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery - Alsip, Illinois
Grave Location: Grave 3, Lot SN 20, Block 3, Section 6
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # B-10
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # B-10
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 2, Line 17
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 62-E: 16
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: No Military Record Found
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman John J. Byrnes, Star #4730, aged 43 years, was an 11 year, 7 month, 8 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to District 11 – Englewood.
On September 26, 1926, at 8:00 p.m., Officer Byrnes and his partner, Patrolman William Cannon, were dispatched to investigate a burglary complaint in the area of 61st and Halsted Streets. Their station had received a report of robbers attempting to break into a garage. As the officers turned into the alley behind 740 West 61st Place the two robbers saw them and immediately opened fire. Officer Cannon was the only one to return fire with the two unknown men making good their escape. Officer Byrnes sustained a gunshot wound and was taken to St. Bernard Hospital where he died four days later on September 30, 1926.
On November 6, 1926, two men were interviewed and named Patrolman Byrnes’ killer who was in jail at Rochester, New York at which time he confessed.
Officer Byrnes was waked at his residence located at 6206 South Albany Avenue. His funeral mass was held at St. Rita of Cascia Parish Church located at 6243 South Fairfield Avenue. He was laid to rest on October 4, 1926 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 West 111th Street, Alsip, Illinois. His grave is located in Grave 3, Lot SN 20, Block 3, Section 6.
Patrolman John J. Byrnes, born November 9, 1882, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on February 22, 1915. He earned 4 Credible Mentions during his career.
Officer Byrnes was a member of the Chicago Policemen’s Benevolent & Welfare Association and the Father Perez Council No. 1444 Knights of Columbus. He was survived by his wife, Anna (nee Driscoll); children: Eleanor, Gerald and Mary and siblings: Lawrence, Patrick, Sister Vincent Farrer. He was preceded in death by his brothers James and Thomas.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department homicide file, Case #7638.