Police Officer Joseph P. Cali

Police Officer Joseph P. Cali

Chicago Police Department, Illinois

End of Watch Tuesday, May 20, 1975

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Joseph P. Cali

Police Officer Joey Cali was shot and killed by a sniper in front of 2103 West Lake Street while writing a parking ticket at about 9:30 pm.

He was in the process of writing a citation on a 1966 Chevrolet for being illegally parked at a bus stop when he was suddenly struck in the head by a bullet. Officer Cali was shot by a sniper from a window at the public housing project building located on West Lake Street.

He was transported to Cook County Hospital where he died the following day.

The juvenile shooter had been in an argument with another neighborhood boy earlier in the evening and was waiting for the boy to make another pass on his bicycle. Before the boy made another pass, the officers arrived and began to write the citation. The killer then told his cousins he was going to shoot an officer and fired the round, which struck Officer Cali.

The juvenile was sentenced to 20 to 25 years in prison. He was paroled in 1986 after serving less than half of his sentence.

Officer Joseph Cali was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and had served with the Chicago Police Department for two years. He is survived by his wife and a 3-year-old and 1-year-old daughter. Officer Cali’s services were held at St. Juliana’s Church on Chicago’s Northwest side and interment was at St. Joseph's Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois.

In December 2016, the North Northwest Highway Post Office was renamed Officer Joseph P. Cali Post Office Building.

Bio

  • Age 31
  • Tour 2 years, 3 months
  • Badge 3271
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Incident Date Monday, May 19, 1975
  • Weapon Rifle; .22 caliber
  • Offender Paroled in 1986

ambush, juvenile offender, sniper

Most Recent Reflection

View all 39 Reflections

It's been over 50 years since I last saw you Joe during our DeVry School Days. You got out of the Army and I went in. Years later I couldn't believe that you made it through Vietnam and then shot in Chicago. I'm still shaking my head over this senseless loss of a Good Husband and Father, Soldier, Student, and Police Officer. I am glad I got the opportunity to meet and share some time with you Joe.
I was just telling a guy I know about you. So you see Joe you still live in our Hearts and Minds. You are not forgotten. God Bless You Joe and Your Family.

Ron Schubert
School Friend

July 8, 2024

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