Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 15 years, 0 months, 28 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: 5th District - South Wabash
District of Incident (Present Day): 003 - Grand Crossing
Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy
Age at Time of Death: 48
Timeline
Date of Birth: 08 Feb 1886
Date of Appointment: 25 Aug 1919
Date of Incident: 22 Sep 1934
End of Watch: 22 Sep 1934
Date of Interment: 24 Sep 1934
Interment Details
Cemetery: Oakland Cemetery - Carbondale, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # C-5
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 13
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 2, Line 38
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 40-E: 5
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: No Military Record Found
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman Louis Frederick Furst, Sr., Star #6347, aged 48 years, was a veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 5th District – South Wabash.
On September 22, 1934, Officer Furst was directing traffic at 59th and State Streets when a witness, Miss Irene Lewan, informed him that a robbery was taking place at the H. J. Coleman real estate office located at 5857 South State Street. Miss Lewan was eating her lunch in the back room of her office when the hold-up began and snuck out a back door. Pistol in hand, Officer Furst responded to the robbery in progress. Jay Franklin, age 21, the gunman, alias Taylor, entered the real estate office under the guise of being interested in an apartment. When all the customers left, he displayed a nickel plated revolver and pointed it at the manager, Byron Bailey, and the clerk, Miss Mary Kowal. Franklin ordered them against the wall and rifled the cash drawer, taking about $200.00. As soon as Officer Furst came into view, Franklin placed his foot against the bottom of the glass door and both fired simultaneously. Furst’s one shot missed his assailant while Franklin’s struck Furst in the head. Franklin then fired four more shots into Furst’s body, turned and ran. Two policemen patrolling the area, and an off duty Wabash Avenue policeman heard the shots and saw Franklin fleeing. They all gave chase. A detective bureau squad also joined in the pursuit.
Jay Franklin sought refuge in a second floor apartment at 5821 South Grove Street. He told the occupant he was hiding from his wife. He rushed in and hid in a pantry. Two of the policemen ran up the front steps while two others went to the rear. He was visible through a window opening on the rear porch. When ordered to surrender, Franklin replied with a burst of gunfire. All four policeman returned fire, fatally wounding him. It was Patrolman Carl Nelson of the 5th District who delivered the fatal gunshot.
Officer Furst was taken to Englewood hospital where he died the same day from five bullet wounds incurred in the shootout.
Jay Franklin was an escaped convict from Jefferson City, Missouri Penitentiary.
Officer Furst was waked at Lain & Son Funeral Home located at 63rd Street and Harvard Avenue, his funeral mass was also held at Lain & Son Funeral Home. He was laid to rest on September 24, 1934 in Oakland Cemetery, North Oakland Avenue, Carbondale, Illinois.
Patrolman Louis Frederick Furst, Sr., born February 8, 1886, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on August 25, 1919. He earned 6 Credible Mentions and 1 Extra Compensation for Meritorious Conduct totaling $120.00 during his career.
Officer Furst was also a member of the Chicago Policemen’s Benevolent & Welfare Association and a Master Mason. He was survived by his wife, Aldie (nee Provost), age 45, children: Aldia Marie Crain, age 23, Louis Frederick, Jr., age 24 and Vincent Bernard, age 18.