Case Number: 7476
Crowley, Harry J. - Age 38 - Sergt. of Police - Shot to death at 10:59 P.M., in the rear room of a soft drink parlor at 539 W. Polk St., while seated at a table, by one of two Mexicans who attempted to rob the place. Calisto Hernandez, who shot Crowley was himself killed by Crowley. The arrest of the second man at present unknown, was recommended by the Coroner 12/2/24. 16 Dist. 12/17/24 Joe Estrado brought back from Rockford, Ill., 12/18/24 held without bail by Judge Adams. 2/9/25 - Estrado - s/o - to Joliet Pen. for life - Kersten.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | November 8, 1924 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | November 8, 1924 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | 539 W. Polk st. |
| Type of Location | Place of business |
| Location Description | rear room of a soft drink parlor at 539 W. Polk st |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Other murder, felony murder |
| Characteristics | Sgt. Shot in soft drink parlor def. Killed |
| Method of Killing | Other gun, gun unspecified |
| Weapon | shot to death |
| Motive | attempted robbery |
| Description | Robbery |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | rear room of a soft drink parlor at 539 W. Polk st |
| Number of Defendants | 1 |
| Related to Organized Crime | |
| Type of Business | Restaurant, food kitchen, other public eating place, hotel public place |
Victim
| Name | Crowley, Harry J. |
|---|---|
| Age | 38 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| VictimEmploymentType | Employed, professional (incl. police and military) |
| Ethnicity | English-Anglo |
| Known to Chicago Police as | Other, known to Chicago police |
| Occupation/ Skill | Law enforcement |
Defendant
| Name | Estrado, Joe |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | Latino, Hispanic |
| Race | Other |
Police
| Precinct | 2 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Arrest Made at Crime Scene | Out of city (in IL) arrest |
| Defendant Identified at Scene | No |
| Time Between Crime and Arrest | Weeks |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 1 |
| Victim Employed by Law Enforcement | Police officer on duty |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | December 2, 1924 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Recommended investigation/arrest |
| Trial Judge | Kersten |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, trial |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Date of Sentence | February 9, 1925 |
| Felony Murder Classification | Robbery |
| Length of Sentence | Life |
| Outcome of Trial | Stricken off |
| Sentenced to | Joliet, Stateville |
