Case Number: 7465
McCormack, John H. - Patrolman - Age 28 - Fatally shot 10/6/23 in front of his home, 4907 Norwood Park Ave., by Louis Stevens, a private watchman, who, on 10/8/23, was exonerated by the Coroner. McCormack was drunk from moonshine and after having been driven home, refused to leave the cab and fired a shot thru the windshield, whereupon the driver called Patrolman Henry Foss, who, accompanied by Stevens, attempted to disarm McCormack. In the struggle Stevens' gun was discharged. On 10/8/23 Earl Huse, the man who sold the moonshine to the decedent, was held by the Coroner for Manslaughter. 27 Dist. Oct. 1923 No Bill on Huse.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | October 6, 1923 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | October 7, 1923 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Within 1 day |
| Address | 4907 Norwood Park ave. |
| Type of Location | Residence |
| Location Description | in front of victim's home at 4907 Norwood Park ave |
| Type of Death | Accident |
| Description | Accidental shooting |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | in front of victim's home at 4907 Norwood Park ave |
| Number of Defendants | 1 |
| Prohibition Related Indicators | victim drunk on moonshine |
| Type of Accident | Accidental shooting |
| Type of Residence | Residence of victim |
Victim
| Name | McCormick, John H. |
|---|---|
| Age | 28 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| VictimEmploymentType | Employed, professional (incl. police and military) |
| Ethnicity | Irish |
| Known to Chicago Police as | Other, known to Chicago police |
| Occupation/ Skill | Law enforcement |
Defendant
| Name | Huse, Earl |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | Other, european |
| Race | White |
| Business Owner | Bar/saloon |
| Employed | Yes |
| Employment Type | Employed, high white collar (merchant, etc.) |
| Occupation/ Skill | Store worker, bar tender |
Police
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
|---|---|
| Time Between Crime and Arrest | Days |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 1 |
| Victim Employed by Law Enforcement | Patrolman off duty |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | October 8, 1923 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Murder was cause of death |
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner's verdict and grand jury |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Grand Jury Decision | October 15, 1923 |
| Outcome of Grand Jury Decision | Indictment for felony murder |
