Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 4 years, 11 months, 5 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: 10th District - Marquette
District of Incident (Present Day): 010 - Ogden
Cause of Death: Struck - By Vehicle
Age at Time of Death: 37
Timeline
Date of Birth: 20 Sep 1942
Date of Appointment: 16 Sep 1974
Date of Incident: 05 Aug 1979
End of Watch: 21 Aug 1979
Date of Interment: 27 Aug 1979
Interment Details
Cemetery: Calvary Cemetery - Evanston, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # D-7
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 18
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 3, Line 34
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 22-W: 10
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: Did Not Serve
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman Jose Manuel Torres, Star #13988, aged 37 years, was a 4 year, 11 month, 5 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 10th District – Marquette.
On August 5, 1979, at 1:20 a.m., Officer Torres and his partner, Patrolman Patricia Skyles, were working the first watch on beat 1046. They assigned to investigate a traffic crash at 2516 South Blue Island Avenue in which a blue 1973 Buick Riviera was struck while parked. While inspecting the VIN number of the vehicle involved in the crash a green 1968 Ford LTD driven by Jesus Morales, age 27 of 2545 South Kedzie Avenue sideswiped the Buick and struck Officer Torres. The Ford was traveling Southwest bound at approximately 60 mph and failed to stop at a stop sign before striking the officer. The impact threw Officer Torres into the air, traveling 24 feet, and through the back window of another parked car. The Ford then fled the scene. Officer Torres was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital by beat 1073 in critical condition. He sustained injuries to the head, chest and legs and was admitted to the hospital. He would later succumb to his injuries and was pronounced dead by Dr. Gonzales 16 days later at 2:30 p.m. on August 21, 1979.
Jesus Morales was arrested five hours later based on descriptions given by witnesses. His vehicle was located by beat 1020, Sergeant Ellison, at 2515 South Troy Avenue. Morales was charged with hitting a pedestrian in the roadway, driving without a city vehicle license, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless driving and driving while intoxicated. Morales was later charged with reckless homicide after Officer Torres death.
Officer Torres was waked at Lain-Hursen Funeral Home located at 5501 North Ashland Avenue. His funeral mass was held at Open Bible Spanish Church located at 3142 North Racine Avenue. He was laid to rest on August 27, 1979 in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cagauas, Puerto Rico.
Patrolman Jose Manuel Torres, born September 20, 1942, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on September 16, 1974. He was also a civilian member of the Department working as a Department Property Custodian and a Senior Public Safety Aide for several years before being appointed as a Patrolman.
Officer Torres was survived by his wife, Ines (nee Manfreay).
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #A877767 Traffic Crash.