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Patrolman Joseph Kurtz | Chicago Police Department, Illinois
Chicago Police Department, Illinois

Patrolman

Joseph Kurtz

Chicago Police Department, Illinois

End of Watch: Tuesday, June 7, 1921

Biographical Info

Age: 27
Tour of Duty: 2 weeks
Badge Number: 2711

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 7, 1921
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Acquitted

Patrolman Joseph Kurtz, of the 17th Precinct, was fatally shot at 7:45 p.m. at the southeast corner of 17th and Canal Streets; He died on the way to the hospital.

Patrolman Joseph Kurtz and his partner responded to the scene of a "battery in progress" with two brothers. As Officer Kurtz attempted to subdue one offender, his partner struggled with the other. During the struggle, the second brother gained control of the partner's gun and fired, fatally striking Officer Kurtz.

On June 9, 1921, Officer Kurtz's killer was held to the Grand Jury on a charge of murder and his accomplice was held as an accessory. On October 19, 1921, the killer was acquitted and the case against the accomplice was Nolle Prossed by Judge Fitch.

Patrolman Kurtz was a United States Navy veteran of World War I and had served with the Chicago Police Department for only two weeks.