Peter Francis Mellody Jr. | Star #1334

Death Classification: Line of Duty Death

Agency: Chicago Police Department

Served: 24 years, 0 months, 5 days

Unit of Assignment / Detail: District 6-A - Burnside

District of Incident (Present Day): 006 - Gresham

Cause of Death: Gunfire - Friendly (Accidental)

Age at Time of Death: 51

Timeline


Date of Birth: 10 Aug 1873

Date of Appointment: 22 Nov 1900

Date of Incident: 27 Nov 1924

End of Watch: 27 Nov 1924

Date of Interment: 01 Dec 1924

 

Interment Details


 Cemetery: Calvary Cemetery - Evanston, Illinois
 Grave Location: Lot S27, Block 11, Section D
 Interment Disposition: Burial

 

Memorial Details


Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # B-8

Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 4

Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall:

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall:

Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed

 

Service


 Military Service: No Military Record Found

 

Incident & Biographic Details


Patrolman Peter Francis Mellody, Jr., Star #1334, aged 51 years, was a 24 year, 0 month, 5 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to District 6-A – Burnside.

On November 27, 1924, at 10:20 p.m., Officer Mellody, was off duty returning home after his shift and outside his district boundaries in District 2-A – Stanton. He entered the Vernon Drug Company’s store at the Southeast corner of 35th Street and Vernon Avenue to investigate the sounds of a burglar alarm coming from the building. After entering the building, he encountered a private watchman, John Breen who was standing in the doorway. Officer Mellody mistook the watchman for a burglar and struck him with his club. The watchman then fired two shots, striking Mellody in his chest just below the heart and hip mortally wounding him. Officer Mellody was taken to Lakeside Hospital where he died. Breen was also taken to the same hospital, treated, and later arrested.

At the Coroner’s Inquest, Breen argued self defense saying, “He hit me on my head, I had to shoot. It was self-defense.” John Breen was cleared of all charges in connection with Patrolman Mellody’s death by the Coroner as having acted in self defense.

Officer Mellody was waked at his residence located at 8517 South Maryland Avenue. His funeral mass was held at St. Joachim Catholic Church located at 700 East 91st Street. He was laid to rest on December 1, 1924 in Calvary Cemetery, 301 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Illinois. His grave is located in Lot S27, Block 11, Section D.

Patrolman Peter Francis Mellody, Jr., born August 10, 1873, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on November 22, 1900.

Officer Mellody was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Court No. 59 Catholic Order of Foresters and the Chicago Policemen’s Benevolent & Welfare Association. He was survived by his son, Joseph. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary (nee Shannon) and sons: James and Vincent.

Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department homicide file, Case #7477.