Patrolman Leon T. Czajka

Leon T. Czajka

Patrolman Leon Czajka suffered a fatal cerebral hemorrhage following a foot pursuit of two car thief suspects.

The two men had been pursued by another policeman who had commandeered a taxi cab, but the cab became stuck in traffic and was unable to pursue them further.

The pursuing policeman called to Patrolman Czajka, who then took up the chase by commandeering a car at the intersection of Dearborn Street and Monroe Street. Patrolman Czajka began pursuing the suspects on foot when they abandoned their vehicle at Wells Street and apprehended them a few blocks away.

He collapsed as he covered the two suspects with his pistol drawn at the intersection of Market Street (modern-day S. Wacker Drive) and W. Adams Street. The two men attempted to flee the area but were stopped and held by a police department applicant who witnessed Patrolman Czajka collapse.

Patrolman Czajka had served with the Chicago Police Department for 18 years. He was survived by his wife.