Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Wednesday, January 25, 1956
Age: 52
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: 6695
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 25, 1956
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 199 years
Detective Lyons Kelliher was shot and killed by a 17-year-old AWOL soldier in a night club at 2801 W. Warren Avenue.
He and his partner were making a routine investigation to check reports that the club was a hangout for narcotics addicts. As they were questioning the suspect he drew out a pistol and shot Detective Kelliher twice in the chest. The subject then shot Detective Kelliher's partner in the right hand and in the right foot preventing him from returning fire. The subject was later captured running through a park.
Both detectives were rushed to Illinois Research Hospital where Detective Kelliher succumbed to his wounds.
The subject was convicted of Detective Kelliher's murder and sentenced to 199 years in prison.
Detective Kelliher was the son of retired Captain Patrick Kelliher.