Case Number: 10710
O�Connor, Wm. A. - Patrolman - Age 38 - Fatally shot at 11:18 PM, 6/3/28, in front of 7143 So. Halsted St., by three unknown bandits whom he attempted to arrest following a holdup of a soft-drink parlor at 7135 So. Halsted St., which he frustrated. 6/14/28 Alfred Malette, John Dempsey and Edward Domker were booked after confessing to the murder. 8/7/28 Dempsey and Domker each to 50 years and Malette to 20 years in Joliet Pen. - David. 10/26/28 Dempsey escaped - see officer�s book. 10/10/31 Dempsey brought back from Las Vagas, N.M. by Joliet Authorities.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | June 3, 1928 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | June 4, 1928 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Within 1 day |
| Address | 7143 S. Halsted st. |
| Type of Location | Street, or other non-commercial public place/alley |
| Type of Public Place | Street, sidewalk or alley |
| Location Description | in front of 7143 S. Halsted st. |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Other murder, felony murder |
| Characteristics | Patrolman (vic) killed during apprehension |
| Method of Killing | Other gun, gun unspecified |
| Weapon | fatally shot, gun unspecified |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | No |
| Description | Police officer killed during apprehension |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | in front of 7143 S. Halsted st. |
| Number of Defendants | 3 |
| Related to Organized Crime |
Victim
| Name | O'Conner, Wm. A. |
|---|---|
| Age | 38 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| VictimEmploymentType | Employed, professional (incl. police and military) |
| Ethnicity | Irish |
| Occupation/ Skill | Law enforcement |
Defendant
| Name | Dempsey, John |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | Other, eastern european |
| Race | White |
Police
| Precinct | 5 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Time Between Crime and Arrest | Weeks |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 2 |
| Victim Employed by Law Enforcement | Patrolman on duty, on street, beat |
Legal
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
|---|---|
| Trial Judge | David |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, trial |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Sentence | August 7, 1928 |
| Felony Murder Classification | Robbery |
| Length of Sentence | 50 years |
| Sentenced to | Joliet, Stateville |
