Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Friday, August 9, 1889
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 1 year, 8 months
Badge Number: 752
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 9, 1889
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Acquitted
Patrolman Adam W. Fryer was shot to death at Harrison Street and Clinton Street by two burglars. As the assailants fled, Officer Fryer was shot and killed.
Both assailants were sentenced to the Joliet Penitentiary for life. A new trial was granted and the killers were acquitted. One, age 25, became the leader of infamous "Henry Street Gang". On December 23, 1892, he and his gang robbed more than 40 passengers on a Southside Chicago train. Three weeks later when a Chicago officer tried to arrest him at a saloon, he shot the officer and beat him almost to death. Days later he was arrested after a gun fight with two Chicago officers. On July 14, 1893, he was convicted under the habitual criminal act and sentenced to 25 years. On January 5, 1897, he was pardoned by Governor John P. Altgeld. In 1899 he was sentenced to two years for stealing whiskey from a box car.
Patrolman Fryer served with the Chicago Police Department for less than two years.