Case Number: 8037
Farrow, Othello - Age 14 - Colored - Died from a gunshot wound received at 12:30 AM, 11/23/27 in passage way of 1418 So. Peoria St., when shot by Patrolman Joseph O'Connor while attempting to escape arrest after he and three other Negro boys tried to drag a Negro girl into an alley. On 12/1/27 O'Connor was exonerated by the Coroner. 16 Dist.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | November 23, 1927 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | November 29, 1927 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Within 1 week but more than 1 day |
| Address | 1418 S. Peoria St. |
| Type of Location | Residence |
| Location Description | 1418 S. Peoria, in passage way |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Intentional murder |
| Characteristics | cop killed boy during attempted escape |
| Method of Killing | Other gun, gun unspecified |
| Weapon | died from a gunshot |
| Motive | victim and 3 others tried to drag black girl into |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | Yes |
| Description | Victim killed resisting arrest |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | 1418 S. Peoria, in passage way |
| Related to Organized Crime | |
| Type of Residence | Hotel, rooming house, boarding house room |
Victim
| Name | Farrow, Othello |
|---|---|
| Age | 14 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | Black |
| Ethnicity | African American |
Defendant
| Name | O'Connor, Joseph Patrolman |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | Irish |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| Employment Type | Employed, professional (incl. police and military) |
| Killed While Protecting Person | Protecting person outside family |
| Occupation/ Skill | Law Enforcement, Police |
Police
| Precinct | 16 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Defendant Identified at Scene | No |
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 1 |
Legal
| Date of Coroner's Decision | December 1, 1927 |
|---|---|
| Outcome of Coroner's Judgment | Exonerated, Commended |
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner's verdict only |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
