Death Classification: Performance of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 21 years, 2 months, 25 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: 7th District - Englewood
District of Incident (Present Day): 007 - Englewood
Cause of Death: Illness - Cardiac Arrest
Age at Time of Death: 52
Timeline
Date of Birth: 23 Dec 1925
Date of Appointment: 01 Oct 1956
Date of Incident: 26 Dec 1977
End of Watch: 26 Dec 1977
Date of Interment: 30 Dec 1977
Interment Details
Cemetery: Resurrection Catholic Cemetery - Justice, Illinois
Grave Location: Grave 1, Lot 17, Block 113, Section 63
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # D-9
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 2
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 5, Line 16
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 61-W: 28
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: YES, Branch Unknown
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman Thomas R. Gesiorski, Jr. Star #5462, aged 52 years, was a 21 year, 2 month, 25 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 7th District – Englewood.
On December 26, 1977, Officer Gesiorski and his partner, Patrolman John Parker were working the third watch on beat 733. The officers responded to a call of a man shot at 6450 South Eggleston Avenue in a third floor apartment. Upon arrival the officers located Richard Huff, age 42, of 918 East 56th Street, who had been shot in the chest. The officers requested an ambulance respond, but none was available. Officer Gesiorski and his partner then made the decision to place Mr. Huff on a stretcher and carry him down three flights of stairs. They then placed him in the back of their squadrol and rushed him to St. Bernard Hospital located at 326 West 64th Street. Just after the officers brought Mr. Huff into the emergency room, at 7:10 p.m., Officer Gesiorski became ill and collapsed to the floor. Hospital staff attempted to revive him but were unsuccessful. Officer Gesiorski was pronounced dead by Dr. Hill at 7:30 p.m. on On December 26, 1977. The Cook County Medical Examiner found that his death was caused by acute coronary insufficiency in association with stress from heavy lifting.
Officer Gesiorski was waked at Egan Funeral Home located at 3700 West 63 Street. His funeral mass was held at Queen of the Universe Church located at 7114 South Hamlin Avenue. He was laid to rest on December 30, 1977 in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 7201 Archer Avenue, Justice, Illinois. His grave is located in Grave 1, Lot 17, Block 113, Section 63.
Patrolman Thomas R. Gesiorski, Jr., born December 23, 1925, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on October 1, 1956.
Officer Gesiorski served in the Armed Forces, was a veteran of World War II and was Honorably Discharged. He was also a member of the Chicago Police Officers Local 1975 and the St. Jude Police League. Officer Gesiorski was survived by his children: Dennis, Karen Demeier, Richard (CPD) and Thomas; siblings: Adeline Stasschuk, Catherine Zieniek and Stephanie Musielak and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Anna B., Cheste; Raymond Nicholas and Stanislawa.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #Y475707.
On June 25, 2013, Officer Gesiorski’s star was retired by Superintendent Garry McCarthy and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 3510 South Michigan Avenue.