Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 1 year, 1 month, 3 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: District 11 - Englewood
District of Incident (Present Day): 006 - Gresham
Cause of Death: Crash - Motorcycle (Pursuit)
Age at Time of Death: 27
Timeline
Date of Birth: 08 May 1896
Date of Appointment: 07 Jun 1922
Date of Incident: 02 Jul 1923
End of Watch: 10 Jul 1923
Date of Interment: 12 Jul 1923
Interment Details
Cemetery: Holy Sepulchre Cemetery - Alsip, Illinois
Grave Location: Grave 7, Lot S4, Block 2, Section 3
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case:
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 10
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 2, Line 8
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 15-W: 7
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: No Military Record Found
Incident & Biographic Details
Patrolman Vincent John Spiro, Jr., Star #979, aged 27 years, was a 1 year, 1 month, 3 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to District 11 – Englewood, detailed to the Motorcycle Division.
On July 1, 1923, at 10:30 p.m., Officer Spiro was fatally injured while in pursuit of a speeding vehicle at 84th Street and Ashland Avenue. His motorcycle collided with the side of a streetcar after either being struck or pushed by the vehicle he was pursuing. The automobile and occupants were not identified. He was transported to Mercy Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on July 10, 1923.
John Coleman, a man who was believed to be the driver of the auto was later arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon.
Officer Spiro was waked at his residence located at 8014 South Peoria Street. He was laid to rest on July 12, 1923 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 West 111th Street, Alsip, Illinois. His grave is located in Grave 7, Lot S4, Block 2, Section 3.
Patrolman Vincent John Spiro, Jr., May 8, 1896, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on June 7, 1922.
Officer Spiro was survived by his siblings: Edward J., Frank, Helen, Irene and Laurentine.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department homicide file, Case #7463.