Patrolman Patrick J. Madden | Star #3540

Patrolman Patrick J. Madden, Star #3540, aged 54 years, was a 20 year, 0 month, 10 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 29th District – West Chicago.

On November 20, 1932, at 12:10 a.m., Officer Madden was on patrol with a fellow Auto Detail policeman when they received a radio report from headquarters. They responded to a report of shots fired on Walton Street near Holt Street (present day Greenview Avenue). All available men were ordered to respond to the call. Officer Madden and his fellow officers were there first to arrive on scene at 1451 West Walton Street. Upon arrival they observed a loud and unruly gathering, which they raided. One man was observed discarding a loaded revolver in a bedroom. Responding officers placed several men and women in custody. While Officer Madden was waiting outside the building to load the prisoners onto the wagon he was approached by a man who claimed the man who had fired some shots was hiding under a nearby porch. Officer Madden placed the patrol wagon in the charge of another officer and proceeded to investigate the man’s claims.

Officer Madden was able to locate the individual hiding under a porch and pulled the man out from under the porch placing him under arrest. At the same time two officers, Patrolmen Vernon Johnson and Stanley Pabish, pulled up and asked Officer Madden if he needed assistance. Madden report that he had the man under control and would escort him back to the patrol wagon, but asked the officer to go to a patrol call box and report back to the stationhouse the events that had transpired. It was believed that the man hiding, Frank Bialek years, was a regular Saturday night drunk who, once placed in custody, would pose no threat. As a result, no one searched Bialek whom had a concealed revolver on his person.

As officer Madden was escorting Bialek to the patrol wagon, a second police car pulled up to the curb. Inside were Patrolmen Otto Buck and Roman Orzechowski who also asked of the situation. The officers in the first patrol car stated that Madden had the man under control, but Orzechowski exited the vehicle just to be certain. As Orzechowski approached he observed Bialek begin to struggle with Officer Madden in front of 1437 West Walton Street. Bialek broke free from Madden, who was able to regain control. Bialek then broke free a second time within a few seconds and drew his weapon. As Officer Orzechowski ran to assist he observed Bialek fire his weapon striking Officer Madden in the head, the bullet lodging in his skull. At less than ten feet away Orzechowski drew his weapon, but before he was able to return fire, Bialek turned and fired upon him striking him in the abdomen. Officer Orzechowski collapsed to the sidewalk. Other officers rushed to the scene and gave chase firing dozens of rounds at Bialek as he fled down an alley and made good his escape.

Officers canvased the area while others secured the crime scene. A coat was discovered that led them to identifying the identity of Bialek from an id card in the coat. Squads of policemen continued the canvas searching for the 24-year-old red headed Bialek. Officer Madden died on scene and Officer Orzechowski was transported to St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital where his condition was reported as grave. Officer Orzechowski would eventually recover from his wound.

Bialek was able to evade arrest for one month before his former girlfriend, Carrie Rachmacy, gave him up agreeing to help police lay a trap to capture him. On December 20, 1932, Bialek was taken into custody and was officially held by the Coroner for murder on December 20, 1932. In 1933 Bialek was sentenced to 99 years in Stateville Prison. Bialek was released on parole after serving approximately 23 years.

Officer Madden was laid to rest on November 23, 1932 in All Saints Catholic Cemetery, 700 North River Road, Des Plaines, Illinois. His grave was located in Grave 4, Lot S 1/2 6, Block 3, Section 9. On August 20, 1949, his grave was relocated to Grave 1-N9 of 97-2-16, Lot S 1/2 6, Block 3, Section 9.

Patrolman Patrick J. Madden, born January 16, 1878, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on November 10, 1910.

Officer Madden was survived by his wife, Annie (nee Donnelly, age 51 and child Norbert Patrick, age 13.