Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Monday, January 23, 1933
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 1865
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 20, 1933
Weapon Used: Handgun; Revolver
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 199 years
Patrolman Maurice Marcusson was inside a loan office when he was approached by a citizen who stated that four suspicious men were in the corridor at 323 West Jackson Boulevard.
Patrolman Marcusson approached the men and announced he was a police officer. As he began to question them, one offender drew a revolver and began firing. Patrolman Marcusson was able to return fire and hit the gunman in the groin. But Patrolman Marcusson's wounds were fatal, and he died three days later.
The suspect, 22, responsible for killing Patrolman Marcusson, was convicted of his murder and sentenced to 199 years in prison on September 23rd, 1933. He was denied parole in 1954 and again in 1960. He was told he would be considered for parole again in 1966. Another was convicted of complicity in the murder and sentenced to life. A third was convicted of several robberies and sentenced to one year to life. In October 1933, the fourth suspect was apprehended in New Orleans. His brother, in an effort to free him, told police he committed the murder. When asked what the victim's name was, he gave a different name.
New Orleans Police investigated and found the name belonged to a man who had been murdered in Chicago months earlier, and the man was wanted for the murder. Both were returned to Chicago and charged with murder. The fourth suspect was acquitted of Patrolman Marcusson's murder. His brother was convicted of the other murder and sentenced to 25 years.
Patrolman Marusson was survived by his wife and two children.