Chicago Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch Friday, July 17, 1970
Add to My HeroesAnthony N. Rizzato
Patrolman Tony Rizzato and Sergeant James Severin were shot and killed by gang members while patrolling community housing for an all-volunteer "Walk and Talk" project.
As the officers proceeded across the Seward Park baseball field, the assailants opened fire from an apartment window. Both officers were mortally wounded in the attack.
The purpose of the shooting was to seal a pact between two rival gangs. Three adults and one juvenile were later apprehended and charged with murder. The two shooters, ages 17 and 23, were convicted of murder and sentenced to 100 to 199 years in prison. In 2021, one of his killers was released on parole.
Patrolman Rizzato had served with the Chicago Police Department for four years. He is survived by his wife and brother, who was also a Chicago Police Officer.
Bio
- Age 37
- Tour 4 years
- Badge 12407
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Rifle
- Offender 100-199 years in prison
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Sergeant James L. Severin
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: July 17, 1970
Most Recent Reflection
View all 29 ReflectionsI am a product of the infamous Cabrini Green Housing Projects. I was 15 years old on the day the two police officers were killed. My mother used to sit on the bench in the rear of 1117 N. Cleveland, the building that set just east of the baseball field where the officers were shot.
The day of the murders, police officers walked by the bench my mom was sitting on drinking her RC soda, and they were very friendly and social. They were participants in the "Walk-n-Talk Program. It was a program implemented to bring the Chicago Police Department and Cabrini Green residents together.
My young sister was on the tenth floor and witnessed the two officers drop to the ground. She was terrified as she cried like a baby.
As a young boy growing up in Cabrini Green, I experienced so much racism, hatred and discrimination. Nevertheless, I was and still is angry how two men were shot down for no other reason than because of the uniforms they wore.
Dwight Taylor
Concerned Citizen against Violence
June 23, 2021
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