Park Policeman Harry J. Busse

Harry J. Busse

Park Policeman Harry J. Busse was shot in the face and killed while walking on West Garfield Boulevard when he attempted to take action when he was approached by two armed robbers. He died from his wounds the following day. Both suspects, ages 16 and 19, were eventually arrested.

The 19 year-old suspect admitted to police that he shot Policeman Busse. His mother was also arrested when it was discovered that she had directed her son and his accomplice in more than 200 robberies and other crimes. It was also discovered that he had recently been freed for killing his father, after testifying that he did so to protect his mother. Later the suspects 16 year-old sister shot and killed herself. After their arrest the 16 year-old suspect told police that her mother killed her when she refused to participate in their life of crime.

The 19 year-old suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. On May 5, 1926, he participated in an escape, along with six other inmates, in which Deputy Warden Peter N. Klein of the Illinois State Prison was stabbed to death. He along with five others were sentenced to death for Warden Klein's murder. On March 12, 1927, all six staged a daring escape from the Will County Jail in Joliet. He was one of three suspects subdued by guards while the other three escaped. He escaped again in June of 1927 and was recaptured by a off-duty Chicago Policeman a year later. He was hanged for Warden Klein's murder on October 10, 1928.

Park Policeman Busse was a WWI veteran and served with the South Park District Police Department for 4 years. He was survived by his mother, sister, and brother.