Death Classification: Line of Duty Death
Agency: Chicago Police Department
Served: 1 month, 25 days
Unit of Assignment / Detail: District 1, 1st Precinct - Central Detail
District of Incident (Present Day): 002 - Wentworth
Cause of Death: Gunfire - Enemy
Age at Time of Death: 25
Timeline
Date of Birth: 09 May 1890
Date of Appointment: 22 Sep 1915
Date of Incident: 16 Nov 1915
End of Watch: 16 Nov 1915
Date of Interment: 20 Nov 1915
Interment Details
Cemetery: Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery - Chicago, Illinois
Grave Location: Unknown
Interment Disposition: Burial
Memorial Details
Superintendent’s Honored Star Case: Panel # B-3
Gold Star Families Memorial Wall: Panel # 11
Illinois Police Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 1, Line 45
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall: Panel # 21-W: 7
Officer Down Memorial Page: Listed
Service
Military Service: No Military Record Found
Incident & Biographic Details
Probationary Patrolman James F. Mitchell, Star #2949, aged 25 years, was a 1 month, 25 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to District 1, 1st Precinct – Central Detail.
On November 16, 1915, at 1:00 a.m., Officer Mitchell and his partner, Patrolmen John C. Burke, were on patrol when they observed five suspicious men loitering on the street. The men, James Hamilton, Alfred Holland, Daniel Holland, James Kneeley and John Welch, were in front of 4940 South Federal Street, where Alfred Holland and his son, Daniel, lived. Officer Mitchell decided to question the men and during questioning began to search each man for weapons. As he began his search, Alfred Holland turned and fled on foot. Officer Mitchell ordered Holland to halt and as he fled, he drew a revolver and fired, striking Officer Mitchell. It was at that time that the other men scattered and fled on foot. Officer Burke gave chase pursuing James Hamilton. During the chase, Officer Burke fired his weapon striking Hamilton in the leg. Officer Mitchell was transported to a Washington Park Hospital where he was pronounced dead several hours later on November 16, 1915.
All five men were eventually apprehended and held for questioning. Alfred Holland was charged with Intentional Manslaughter, tried and found guilty. On July 8, 1916, Holland was sentenced to the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet by Judge Barrett.
Officer Mitchell was waked at his residence located at 7911 South Halsted Street. He was laid to rest on November 20, 1915 in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 2755 West 111th Street, Chicago, Illinois.
Probationary Patrolman James F. Mitchell, born May 9, 1890, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on September 22, 1915.
Officer Mitchell was survived by his parents: John G. and Mary (nee Fritz) and siblings: Anna, Eileen, Frances, Genevieve, John, Mary, Omar and Rita.
Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department homicide file, Case #4422.
Patrolman John C. Burke, was also killed in the line of duty one month, one day later on December 16, 1915.