Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 7 years, 11 months, 25 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: 8th District - South Chicago
District of Incident (Present Day): 004 - South Chicago
Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy
Age at Time of Death: 35
Timeline
Date of Birth: 25 Aug 1894
Date of Appointment: 02 Feb 1922
Date of Incident: 27 Jan 1930
End of Watch: 27 Jan 1930
Date of Interment: 01 Feb 1930
Interment Details
Cemetery: Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery - Calumet City, Illinois
Grave Location: Lot 610, Block John
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # C-1
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 14
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 2, Line 26
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 22-E: 5
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: U.S. Army
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman Ludwik “Louis” Casimer Szewczyk, Star #2521, aged 35 years, was a 7 year, 11 month, 25 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 8th District – South Chicago.
On January 27, 1930, at 11:45 p.m., Officer Szewczyk and his partner, Patrolman Daniel Collins, were on patrol. They were working a plain-clothes detail and observed three Mexican men walking on the Southeast side of 90th Street near Buffalo Avenue. They noticed the appearance of their walk was suspicious. When they stopped, approximately eight feet from the men and identified themselves as policemen, Max Garcia suddenly drew his revolver and fired. The first shot struck Szewczyk in the chest near the heart. Officer Collins returned fire when Garcia turned and fled northbound on Buffalo Avenue while his companions fled in the opposite direction. Officer Collins pursued and exchanged shots with Garcia as they ran. They ran for three blocks, both emptying their guns, at which time Officer Collins was able to apprehend Garcia and disarm him. Officer Szewczyk was rushed to Illinois Steel Company Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The arrest of Max Garcia led to the arrest of his two confederates, Jose Garcia and Alphonso Reyes after he identified them. On January 28, 1930 all three were held by the Coroner to the Grand Jury on a charge of murder. On May 16, 1930, Max Garcia was sentenced to 25 years in the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet. The cases against Jose Garcia and Alphonso Reyes were nolle prossed by Judge Kerner.
Officer Szewczyk was laid to rest on February 1, 1930 in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 801 Michigan City Road, Calumet City, Illinois. His grave is located in Lot 610, Block / Section John.
Patrolman Ludwik “Louis” Casimer Szewczyk, born August 25, 1894, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on February 2, 1922. Prior to joining the Chicago Police Department Szewczyk was a Patrolman for the Pennsylvania Railroad Police Department.
Officer Szewczyk served in the U.S. Army from June 1, 1918 thru January 29th, 1919 in Company B, 35th Infantry, was a veteran of World War I and was Honorably Discharged at the rank of Private. He was survived by his wife, Anna (nee Jendrzeczyk), age 25 and two children: Angeline Marion, age 5 and Edward, age 17.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department homicide file, Case #11079.