Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Tuesday, October 3, 1944
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: October 3, 1944
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Not available
Detective Ellwood S. Egan was accidentally shot and killed by another patrolman who mistook him for a suspect.
Detective Egan and his partner observed a squad car turn into an alley behind 550 Avers Avenue. The detectives went to the location to assist the patrolmen who were unaware of the detectives' presence.
The detectives observed two subjects run from a nearby garage and fired warning shots at them. The patrolmen, hearing the shots thought someone was firing at them and returned fire. One of the shots struck Detective Egan in the groin. He was transported to St. Anne's Hospital where he died.
The two juvenile offenders who were seen running from the scene were arrested and charged with burglary.