Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Sunday, September 2, 1945
Age: 50
Tour of Duty: 27 years, 10 months
Badge Number: 1124
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 2, 1945
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Patrolman George H. Helstern and Patrolman Charles Brady were shot and killed as they approached a suspicious person at the corner of N. Clark Street and W. Lunt Avenue at 11.
Once they announced they were police officers, the subject fired at the officers. Despite returning fire, the subject was not hit and was able to flee. Both officers sustained fatal gunshot wounds in the encounter. Patrolman Helstern was killed instantly. Patrolman Brady was transported to St. Francis Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds over three hours later.
In December 1945, the killer was shot and killed by members of his own gang in fear that he would turn in other gang members.
Patrolman Helstern was a United States Navy Reserve WWI veteran and had served with the Chicago Police Department for almost 28 years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, mother, and six siblings.