Patrolman LaVaughn V. White, Sr.

LaVaughn V. White, Sr.

Patrolman LaVaughn V. White was gunned down when he interrupted a robbery in a business, where he lived above in an apartment.

Patrolman White was off duty in the business. Four men walked in and placed an order. About 15 minutes later, Officer White left the business and went to his apartment above. A few minutes later, the men announced a hold-up. As the cash register was being emptied, the owner of the business observed Patrolman White walking his dog. One of the hold-up men ordered the owner of the business to call Patrolman White over, and as he was about to enter the business, the owner ran out to summon help. A gunfight ensued and Patrolman White fell, fatally shot. He managed to shoot and critically wound one suspect

Investigation at the scene revealed a wallet that was dropped in the business during the hold-up and the murder. The owner of this wallet was identified by a photo as one of the gunmen who was wounded. From information he gave the other three assailants were arrested and charged with the murder of Patrolman White.

All four gunmen were indicted by the Grand Jury on June 22, 1961 for murder. On November 30, 1961, the defendants waived a jury trial and during the bench trial, all four defendants pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. The four were sentenced to 99 years in the Illinois State Penitentiary.

The 20-year-old wounded suspect recovered fully and was paroled in 1974. During his imprisonment he earned a college degree in sociology and psychology and was said to be a model inmate. On November 6, 1983, he was arrested in Chicago and charged with the murder of a man in Springfield on June 17, 1982.

Patrolman White, had served with the police department for 8 years an was a U.S. military veteran.