Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 31 years, 3 months, 6 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: Crime Prevention Division - Youth Bureau / Motion Picture Section
District of Incident (Present Day): 002 - Wentworth
Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy
Age at Time of Death: 57
Timeline
Date of Birth: 03 Jun 1903
Date of Appointment: 02 Feb 1929
Date of Incident: 08 May 1960
End of Watch: 08 May 1960
Date of Interment: 12 May 1960
Interment Details
Cemetery: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery - Evergreen Park, Illinois
Grave Location: Lot E1/2 1379 & E1/2 1380, Block --, Section S
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # D-4
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 14
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 3, Line 6
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 61-E: 6
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: No Military Record Found
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman Joseph Edward Chapman, Jr., Star #6239, aged 57 years, was a 31 year, 3 month, 6 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Crime Prevention Division – Youth Bureau, detailed to the Motion Picture Section.
On May 8, 1960, at 3:00 p.m., Officer Chapman, while off duty, was at the Hi-Spot Liquor Store located at 5302 South Indiana Avenue. Officer Chapman went to visit with the owner, Herman Baum who was a personal friend, and to buy some soft drinks for his grandchildren who were coming to his home for a Mother’s Day party. Officer Chapman and Baum were eating lunch in the store and after consuming the food and soda, Officer Chapman remained in the store visiting. At 4:45 p.m. Officer Chapman went to the rear of the store to use the washroom. Baum remained out front when Larry C. Harvey, age 26 of New Haven, Connecticut, entered and walked to the rear counter. Baum noticed a gun in Harvey’s hand as he vaulted the counter announcing, “This is a stick-up,“ pointing the gun at Baum and his clerk, Sterling Bitting. At this time, Officer Chapman heard the commotion and came out from the back of the store and announced his office. Harvey responded by shooting and a gun battle ensued. Harvey fired at Officer Chapman three times from close range. Officer Chapman was struck in the stomach and as he fell he was shot two more times striking him in the left leg and left foot. Officer Chapman returned fire as he fell hitting Harvey five times. Harvey was shot in his left arm, left thigh, and groin. Officer Chapman was transported to Provident Hospital by Squadrol 287 where he underwent surgery. He passed away during surgery and was pronounced dead by Dr. Small at 5:00 p.m. on May 8, 1960. Larry Harvey was also transported to Provident Hospital where he was treated. He was later transferred to the Bridewell Hospital where he died at 1:30 a.m. on May 9, 1960.
Officer Chapman was waked at Crook Funeral Home located at 4638 South Indiana Avenue. His funeral mass was held at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church located at 5842 South Princeton Avenue. He was laid to rest on May 12, 1960 in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, 3801 West 87th Street, Evergreen Park, Illinois. His grave is located in Lot E1/2 1379 & E1/2 1380, Block –, Section S.
Patrolman Joseph Edward Chapman, Jr., born June 3, 1903, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on February 2, 1929. Officer Chapman was scheduled to retire on July 2, 1960. He earned 1 Credible Mention during his career. Ironically, the Credible Mention was awarded for a gun fight Chapman had on March 4, 1956 in the same liquor store where he was slain. Officer Chapman served in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 19th, and 27th Districts, Headquarters, Morals Division, and the Crime Prevention Division during his career.
Officer Chapman was a member of the Chicago Policemen’s Benevolent & Welfare Association and the St. Jude Police League. He was survived by his wife, Francis (CPD), age 53 and children: Carol, Doris, Frances, Frederica, Josephine and Pauline. He was preceded in death by his parents: Callie (nee Bell) and Joseph Edward, Sr.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department Accident Report No. 730476-7, Central Complaint Room No. 43961 and Station Complaint No. 796276. Incident disseminated via Teletype Message No. 25776 and 257789
In January, 1961, Officer Chapman’s star was retired by Superintendent Orlando W. Wilson and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the 4th floor Office of the Superintendent at Chicago Police Headquarters, 1121 South State Street. The Honored Star Case was later relocated to the lobby of Chicago Police Headquarters, 1121 South State Street. In 2000, Chicago Police Headquarters moved to a new facility at 3510 South Michigan Avenue, Officer Chapman’s Star was re-encased in the new headquarters building lobby.
In June 1962, the police department honored Officer Chapman’s memory by naming the brand new M-6 police boat in the Department’s Marine Unit after him.