Special Agent Edwin C. Shanahan

Edwin C. Shanahan

Special Agent Edwin Shanahan was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a car thief in Chicago, Illinois. The suspect was also wanted for the attempted murder of four Chicago police officers whom he had shot during previous arrest attempts.

Agent Shanahan and other officers received information that the suspect would be taking a stolen car to a garage at 6238 S Princeton Avenue. The officers set up a stakeout and observed the suspect enter the garage. As Agent Shanahan, who was alone at the time, attempted to arrest the suspect he was shot by the man with an automatic pistol.

On November 2nd, 1925, the suspect murdered Sergeant Harry Gray, of the Chicago Police Department, as Sergeant Gray attempted to arrest him. The suspect was apprehended and sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murders plus 15 years for the auto theft. The suspect was released from prison in 1954 and died in 1981.

On November 27th, 1925, Patrolman James Carroll and Patrolman James Henry were shot and killed during an armed robbery inside a saloon while searching for the same suspect who murdered Special Agent Edwin Shanahan.

Agent Shanahan had served with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for five years.