Case Number: 10717
O�Connell, Jeremiah - Age 41 - Patrolman - Fatally shot at 12:05 AM, 7/29/28, in 33rd St., at alley east of LaSalle St., while attempting to arrest a negro bandit, Aaron Woodworth, or Woodward, alias Jack Whitaker, who had just robbed and fatally wounded a man. Woodworth also wounded Patrolman Howard Doyle before he himself was wounded and captured. On 9/25/28 he was held by the Coroner. 4 Dist. 7/29/28 Joe Harris, colored, arrested as Woodworth�s accomplice was discharged 9/26/28 by Judge Padden. 5/31/29 - Sentenced to die 6/14/29 - Gentzel. 1/730 - Affirmed by Supreme Court. 4/11/30 - Executed in electric chair at County Hosp.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | July 29, 1928 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | July 30, 1928 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Within 1 day |
| Type of Location | Street, or other non-commercial public place/alley |
| Type of Public Place | Street, sidewalk or alley |
| Location Description | alley east of LaSalle st. |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Intentional manslaughter |
| Characteristics | vic killed during apprehension |
| Method of Killing | Other gun, gun unspecified |
| Weapon | fatally shot |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | No |
| Description | Police officer killed during apprehension |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | alley east of LaSalle st. |
| Number of Defendants | 2 |
| Related to Organized Crime |
Victim
| Name | O'Connell, Jeremiah |
|---|---|
| Age | 41 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| VictimEmploymentType | Employed, professional (incl. police and military) |
| Ethnicity | Irish |
| Occupation/ Skill | Law enforcement |
Defendant
| Name | Woodworth, Aaron; alias Jack W |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | English-Anglo |
| Race | White |
Police
| Precinct | 17 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Defendant Identified at Scene | No |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 2 |
| Victim Employed by Law Enforcement | Patrolman on duty, on street, beat |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | September 25, 1928 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Defendant held to Grand Jury |
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
| Trial Judge | Gentzel |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, grand jury, trial, and post conviction |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Sentence | May 31, 1929 |
| Length of Sentence | Death penalty |
| Post Trial Information | Death sentence carried out |
