Interactive Database
Case Description
Rowe, John - 53 yrs. - Officer from 28th Pct. Shot dead while attempting to arrest 2 "L" bandits, on Wood St., at alley north of Madison St. 8/18/14 Michael Geary held by Coroner for murder together with Mrs. Gertrude Meine, Arthur McNally and Wm Dohney as accessories - 28th Pct. 10/30/14 Mrs. Meine acquitted and Geary given life term in Joliet Pen. - Tuthill. Oct. 1914 - No bill on Meine. 10/31/14 Doheny & McNally to Pontiac Ref. concurrent with Stevens case.
Circumstances
| Date of offense |
September 6, 1914 |
| Date of death |
August 6, 1914 |
| Address |
Wood. St., north of Madison St.
|
| Type of location |
Street, or other non-commercial public place/alley
|
| Type of public place |
Street, sidewalk or alley
|
| Location description |
Wood St., north of Madison St.
|
| Type of death |
Homicide
|
| Type of homicide |
Intentional murder
|
| Characteristics |
shot
|
| Method of killing |
Other gun, gun unspecified
|
| Weapon |
Shot dead
|
| Motive |
Shot dead while attempting to arrest 2 "L" bandits
|
| Victim initiated events leading to homicide |
No
|
| Murder/suicide? |
Yes
|
| Circumstances description |
Police officer killed during apprehension
|
| Total number of victims |
1
|
| Total number of defendants |
1
|
| Related to Prohibition? |
Yes
|
Victim
| Name |
Rowe, John
|
| Age |
53 years
|
| Gender |
Male
|
| Race |
White
|
| Ethnicity |
Other, european
|
| Employed |
Yes
|
| Employment Type |
Employed, professional (incl. police and military)
|
| Occupational skill |
Law enforcement
|
Defendant
| Name |
Geary, Michael
|
| Gender |
Male
|
| Race |
White
|
| Ethnicity |
Other, european
|
| Employed |
Yes
|
| Employment Type |
Outside labor force (incl. criminals)
|
| Occupational skill |
Criminal - burglar
|
| Defendant/victim relationship |
Stranger
|
Police
| Victim employed in law enforcement |
Police officer on duty
|
| Precinct |
28
|
| Date defendant arrested |
August 18, 1914 |
| Total number of defendants arrested |
4
|
| Allegations of police corruption |
No
|
Legal
| Date of coroner's decision |
August 18, 1914 |
| Outcome of coroner's judgement |
Defendant held to Grand Jury
|
| Charges against defendant |
Felony murder
|
| Trial Judge |
Tuthill
|
| Jury verdict |
Yes
|
| Type of legal decision recorded |
Coroner, trial
|
| Outcome of trial |
Guilty of murder
|
| Date of sentence |
October 30, 1914 |
| Sentenced to |
Joliet, Stateville
|
| Allegations of police corruption |
No
|
Back to Search Results
Note! If you want to pursue additional information on this case please
click here to see other resources.
