Death Classification: Performance of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 19 years, 7 months, 5 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: 20th District - Foster
District of Incident (Present Day): 020 - Lincoln
Cause of Death: Illness - Cardiac Arrest
Age at Time of Death: 46
Timeline
Date of Birth: 24 Jan 1953
Date of Appointment: 11 Feb 1980
Date of Incident: 24 Aug 1999
End of Watch: 16 Sep 1999
Date of Interment: 21 Sep 1999
Interment Details
Cemetery: All Saints Catholic Cemetery - Des Plaines, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case:
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 8
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall:
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall:
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: U.S. Army
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman Myles Michael Smetana, Star #14658, aged 46 years, was a 19 year, 7 month, 5 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 20th District – Foster.
On August 24, 1999, at 1:35 p.m., Officer Smetana was working the second watch on beat 2013 10-99. He monitored a radio call of a disturbance involving an irate, mentally ill man threatening customers at a business. He responded to assist beat 2012, Patrolman Thomas Boyle. Additionally beat 2071, Patrolmen Robert Pasternack and David Tamillo, responded to assist as well. Once at the scene, the officers observed a heated argument and they struggled to separate the two parties and regain the man’s composure. Officer Smetana offered him instructions on how to lodge a formal complaint and even gave him a phone number of a company which might offer him a job. After the incident Officer Boyle asked Officer Smetana if he was okay due to his appearance. Officer Smetana said he suddenly felt ill, weak and dizzy but assured him it would go away and he would feel better in a minute. He finished his tour of duty and went home. Later that evening, when conditions did not improve, he was driven to the River Grove Fire Department (RGFD) by his wife. It was learned that he was in cardiac arrest and he was transported to Gottlieb Memorial Hospital by RGFD Ambulance. Upon arrival he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. He lapsed into a coma after a severe heart attack and remained comatose until his death. He was pronounced dead by Dr. Lal at 9:30 p.m. on September 16, 1999.
Officer Smetana was waked at Friel Funeral Home located at 8300 West Lawrence Avenue, Norridge, IL. He was laid to rest on September 21, 1999 in All Saints Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, 700 North River Road, Des Plaines, Illinois.
Patrolman Myles Michael Smetana, born January 24, 1953, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on February 11, 1980 and was in Recruit Class 80-2A at the Jackson Street Police Academy. He earned 1 Carter Harrison Medal, 1 Superintendent’s Award of Merit and 54 Honorable Mentions during his career.
Officer Smetana served in the U.S. Army and was Honorably Discharged. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Officer Smetana was survived by his wife, Katherine Frances (nee Eder) and children: Erin Patricia, age 5 months, Kaitlyn Rose, age 4 and Zachary Michael, age 6.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #D549736.