Bio & Incident Details
Age: 23
Tour: Not available
Badge # 9866
Cause: Gunfire
Incident Date: 1/13/1958
Weapon: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect: In Custody
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Patrolman John W. Quirk was shot three times by two gunman at Cleveland and Wisconsin Streets. He died at the scene.
Officer Quirk was off duty on his first date with a young woman. One of their first stops that evening included a tour of the Shakespeare Avenue Station, 2131 N. California where he was assigned. Their second stop was a restaurant at 3801 W. Fullerton where they had a chance meeting with his partner and visited for some time.
The officer was driving the young woman home and pulled in front of the Towne Home Girls’ Residence, 22 East Banks at approximately 2:30 a.m. The moment the vehicle came to a stop, two men jumped into the back of the car from each side with guns drawn. Officer Quirk was forced to drive in the area of the north side. At Wisconsin and Willow, he crashed his vehicle into a street lamp. While drawing his service revolver, he fired into the rear of the vehicle. Policeman Quirk used his body to shield his companion from the bullets as the shooting started. He was mortally wounded in the exchange. The young woman was able to identify the assailants.
After a city wide manhunt, one gunman was immediately arrested. The second surrendered to the FBI and was turned over to Chicago Police Department homicide division.
