Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Monday, June 15, 1953
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 11 months
Badge Number: 2216
Cause of Death: Vehicle pursuit
Date of Incident: June 15, 1953
Weapon Used: Automobile
Suspect Info: Not available
Patrolman Anthony Cannata was killed and his partner seriously injured when their squad car struck a light pole at N. Milwaukee Avenue, near W. Walton Street, while they were pursuing a vehicle.
He and his partner attempted to question two men they saw at Chicago Avenue and Noble Street, in a parked car without license plates similar to the one used by the men who kidnapped a state representative four days earlier. The men sped away and the officers gave chase. They were gaining on the vehicle when an approaching car swerved into their path and forced the squad car against the light pole. The driver did not stop.
Patrolman Cannata joined the Chicago Police Department in October 1947. His wife, two sons, two daughters, and mother survive him.